Vineyard Gazette: Vineyard Tick Experts Attend Nation's First Alpha-Gal Conference

"Vineyard Tick Experts Attend Nation's First Alpha-Gal Conference" — Vineyard Gazette, July 2026

Lea Hamner and Aubrey Stimola Ryan represented Martha's Vineyard at the first-ever national alpha-gal syndrome conference in Raleigh, N.C., joining top physicians, epidemiologists, entomologists, and CDC officials to share knowledge on treatment, prevention, and public awareness. Hamner presented on the island's growing alpha-gal problem and its coordinated community response — an approach that drew admiration from peers and the CDC alike. The piece covers key conference takeaways, including the recognized link between deer population growth and the lone star tick's expanding range, the island's unique advantage as a closed geography for deer management, and next steps for national alpha-gal policy, including broader state reporting requirements and stronger food and medication labeling.