Directs the commissioner of health require reporting of alpha-gal syndrome as a communicable disease

◆ The sponsor's argument

Why Christopher Ryan says this is needed

Alpha-gal syndrome is a tick-borne disease that can cause an allergy to red meat and dairy. The lone-star tick is the most common carrier alpha-gal, which is a sugar molecule that is found in the meat of many mammals, including pigs and cows. After being bitten, the immune system generates antibodies against alpha-gal and can trigger an allergic reaction at its next encounter, through foods like hamburgers, bacon, or dairy, or even certain medical supplies or prescriptions that have animal product components. Not everyone develops this allergy from a single tick bite, but the ramifications of this tick-borne disease can be serious and even fatal. While originating in the southeastern United States, the lone-star tick is rapidly expanding its territory northward into New York State. Long Island now has the highest number of alpha-gal cases in the nation, and the lone-star is expected to continue spreading north through the South- ern Tier into Central New York, and beyond. More than 15 states and New York City currently track the spread of alpha-gal syndrome to help resi- dents avoid contact and seek treatment. A recent article from the New York Times reported that the State of New York does not track this spread, despite being a hot spot for the alpha-gal syndrome: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/02/ nyregion/alpha-gal-new-york-state- does -not-count.html This bill directs the Commissioner of Health to add alpha-gal syndrome to its list of communicable diseases that must be reported to the Department of Health. Currently, physicians must report cases of Lyme, flu, measles, and many other diseases in order to inform policy-making, emergency response, and public health research. As the lone-star tick continues to travel northward, it is imperative that the NYS Department of Health carefully tracks its spread to support life-saving research into treatment and prevention, and educate New Yorkers on ways to stay safe from tick-borne disease.

This is the sponsor's own case for the bill, quoted from their memorandum. It is not Agora's description of what the bill does.