Providence Journal: 'Alpha-gal' syndrome is changing lives on Block Island

“'Alpha-gal' syndrome is changing lives on Block Island” - Providence Journal, August 2026

Jaeger was unloading paper products at The Yellow Kittens about six hours later when he started feeling itchy. He ran back to his truck, looked in the mirror and saw his face swelling up.

Within a matter of minutes, Jaeger was struggling to breathe. His vision went dark. Before he knew what was happening, he was being rushed to Rhode Island Hospital by helicopter.

Lab tests later revealed that he’d contracted alpha-gal syndrome, which is spread by ticks and can result in a potentially life-threatening allergy to red meat and dairy. Familiar foods that he’d eaten all his life had abruptly triggered a reaction so severe that he went into anaphylactic shock.