Terrified Martha's Vineyard billionaires under siege from tick that could KILL them if they hold glitzy summer burger barbecues

By NATASHA ANDERSON, US SENIOR NEWS REPORTER Published: 15:18, 5 June 2026 | Updated: 15:27, 5 June 2026 Billionaire islanders on Martha's Vineyard are under siege from a nearly microscopic tick that is spreading an incurable and potentially life-threatening allergy. The ritzy Massachusetts enclave has become a hotspot for aggressive lone star ticks, a reddish-brown crab-like arachnid with a white spot or 'lone star' on its back. Lone star ticks deliver painful bites and can transmit a variety of diseases, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. But residents in Martha's Vineyard are preparing for a scary summer ahead after a tick expert confirmed that the lone star ticks infiltrating the island have been found to carry the alpha-gal molecule, the Boston Globe reported. When a human is bitten by a tick carrying the molecule, they can develop a sometimes fatal allergy called alpha gal syndrome (AGS). AGS causes the immune system to overreact to a specific sugar molecule found in red meat, dairy and certain medications. The ticks have reportedly taken up residence in the dune grasses, marshlands, lawns and scrub that cover the island, leaving locals afraid to walk through their yards in shorts or flip-flops. Some locals have turned to hosting meat and dairy free barbeques, while grocery stores and restaurants are now selling 'alpha gal safe' foods. Schools are also serving students lunches that won't trigger the allergy. The tick invasion is being driven by the island's exploding population of white-tailed deer, with experts now urging officials to reduce the number of deer in the area. Billionaires in Martha's Vineyard are under siege from a nearly microscopic tick that has spread a deadly and incurable allergy (File photo of Edgartown, Martha's Vineyard) The ritzy Massachusetts enclave has become a hotspot for aggressive lone star ticks, a reddish-brown crab-like arachnid with a white spot or 'lone star' on its back 'We've come to the point that the tick problem is so overwhelming, people are desperate for any solution,' biologist Patrick Roden-Reynolds told the Globe. 'Even just a few steps outside your door is a real risk.' Roden-Reynolds says that lone star ticks are faster and more aggressive than other species of ticks. Their larva, which are about the size of a sand grain, cluster into a so-called 'tick bomb' and when disturbed can swarm by the hundreds. Some residents have turned to using heavy duty pesticides to kill the lone star ticks, which has caused uproar from more eco-friendly focused locals. Jon Posner, a homeowner in Aquinnah, on the western tip of the island, sprayed lambda-cyhalothrin on his lawn, which killed all but 10 ticks. But his neighbor was infuriated that he used a pesticide that is known to kill other invertebrates, including pollinators. Other locals are using sprays made of essential oils on their lawns, but Roden-Reynolds said it is unclear exactly how effective these are against ticks. The island's deer, rabbits and mice have become critical carriers for the ticks, with just one single deer being able to host hundreds of ticks. Lone star ticks have reportedly taken home in the dune grasses, marshlands, lawns and scrub that cover the island (file photo of Aquinnah Cliff, Martha's Vineyard) Massachusetts expanded the hunting season on Martha’s Vineyard and local food pantries are now accepting venison from hunters in hopes that more deer will be culled. Meanwhile, the entire island community has been completely transformed by the arrival of the lone star ticks. The emergency room at Martha's Vineyard Hospital has become so overwhelmed with tick-borne illnesses that there are now two staff members solely dedicated to treating patients with those symptoms. A holistic medical practice in the area has started offering acupuncture to AGS patients, which is said to help relieve some symptoms. The clinic also provides patients with meditation, yoga and therapy in a bid to help calm the anxiety that can accompany an AGS diagnosis. Grocery store workers are trained to help shoppers find 'alpha-gal friendly' products and restaurants have added menu items that are safe for AGS patients. Gina deBettencourt, a chef and kitchen manager at the local Edgartown School, said that even the elementary school has revamped its menu because of alpha gal allergies. 'This is what I tell my whole staff: they're on a vegan diet, but they can have chicken or fish,' she told the newspaper. Between 2017 and 2022, the CDC reported about 90,000 suspected cases of AGS, and the number of new suspected cases increased by approximately 15,000 each year. The agency has estimated that as many as half a million Americans have AGS The symptoms can range from a mild case of hives or stomach pain to severe and even life-threatening cases of anaphylaxis - where blood pressure suddenly drops and the person becomes unable to breathe as their airways swell up Brian Waitzel, 47, died after experiencing sudden and severe abdominal pain and vomiting, which medical professionals later deemed was from alpha-gal syndrome   Lone star ticks have been found throughout the US from Texas to the East Coast. When a tick bites someone, it injects alpha-gal sugar into the person's body, causing the immune system to develop antibodies that attack it. Between 2017 and 2022, the CDC reported about 90,000 suspected cases of AGS, and the number of new suspected cases increased by approximately 15,000 each year. The agency has estimated that as many as half a million Americans have AGS. In September 2024, a healthy JetBlue pilot who was unaware that he was suffering from AGS collapsed and died just hours after eating a burger at a backyard barbecue in Wall Township, New Jersey. Brian Waitzel, 47, passed away after suffering severe stomach pains. Physicians and allergists later linked Waitzel's death to AGS. Experts suspect his final simple meal triggered the rare and deadly red-meat allergy, which had been brought on by a single tick bite.  AGS can also complicate medical treatments involving mammal-based ingredients in certain medications, vaccines or surgical materials.  There is currently no cure, and the tick-transmitted illness requires lifelong avoidance of meat-based products. No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards. By posting your comment you agree to our house rules. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual We will automatically post your comment and a link to the news story to your Facebook timeline at the same time it is posted on MailOnline. To do this we will link your MailOnline account with your Facebook account. We’ll ask you to confirm this for your first post to Facebook. You can choose on each post whether you would like it to be posted to Facebook. Your details from Facebook will be used to provide you with tailored content, marketing and ads in line with our Privacy Policy.