Albany, NY – This week, legislation sponsored by Assemblymember Schiavoni which would require the reporting of Alpha-gal Syndrome (AGS), a life-altering and potentially deadly tick-borne illness, unanimously passed the Assembly.

This legislation (A.11328/S.10340) requires the Commissioner of the NYS Department of Health (DOH) to establish AGS as a reportable disease, thereby requiring health care providers to report cases to the DOH. The incidences of AGS would also have to be published within the publicly available reports on communicable diseases.

According the Center for Disease Control and the NYS Department of Health, AGS is a tick-borne illness which occurs after a person is bitten by certain tick species, namely the lone star tick. When a tick bites, it can transfer alpha-gal, a sugar molecule found naturally in some foods and animal products, from its saliva into a person's blood. AGS is an allergy to foods containing alpha-gal. Due to the tick bite, the immune system identifies alpha-gal as a threat and triggers an allergic reaction.

The presence of lone-star ticks has rapidly increased in New York State. Regions in southern New York, such as Eastern Long Island, the Hudson Valley and Westchester have seen the greatest increases in the population of lone-star ticks among other species, as well as the prevalence of tick-borne illnesses such as AGS.

Recent reporting by the New York Times highlighted the lack of state-wide systemic tracking and reporting of AGS in New York, after researchers determined in November 2025 that a 47-year-old New Jersey man’s death was attributed to AGS.

New York State Assemblymember Tommy John Schiavoni said: “In Suffolk County, health care providers and tick-borne disease experts have long sounded the alarm on the effects of illnesses such as Alpha-gal Syndrome and on ways to mitigate tick populations. I am thankful for my colleagues for unanimously supporting this legislation, and I look forward to working with Governor Hochul and agency leaders on how New York can continue to combat these life-altering diseases.”

"Tick-borne diseases are on the rise in New York, driven by climate change and expanding tick populations. Alpha-gal syndrome is among the rising cases, and there is no known treatment, yet it is not currently included in the state's reportable disease registry. That must change, so I am proud to sponsor this legislation with Assemblymember Schiavoni to ensure that this serious illness is added to the registry. Collecting this data will help track its spread, improve public awareness, and strengthen our response to tick-borne diseases across New York,” said New York State Senator Rachel May.

New York State Assemblymember Amy R Paulin said: “Alpha-gal syndrome is a serious and increasingly prevalent condition that can have devastating consequences, including severe illness and even death. Even in less severe cases, it can dramatically alter a person’s daily life, forcing major dietary changes and limiting foods such as meat and dairy that people may have eaten their entire lives without issue. Too often, individuals suffering from alpha-gal syndrome do not understand why they are suddenly becoming so sick after eating familiar foods, and delays in diagnosis can prolong both suffering and risk. This legislation is critical because better reporting will increase awareness among both residents and healthcare providers, helping ensure that alpha-gal syndrome is recognized, identified, and treated as quickly as possible. I commend Senator Schiavoni for sponsoring this important legislation and for helping shine a light on a condition that far too many people still know little about.”

New York State Assemblyman Steve Otis, an advocate for Alpha-gal Syndrome awareness and co-sponsor of the legislation said, "Through the new Alpha-Gal Syndrome (AGS) webpage, the NYS Department of Health has already taken major steps to alert the public of the growing health risk posed by this growing health threat. This legislation supports the important next step, the Department of Health rulemaking to add AGS to the NYS list of communicable diseases and the reporting requirements that will provide New Yorkers with timely information on the spread of AGS in our state. Alpha-Gal Syndrome is an emerging tick-bite-associated allergy to meat that may cause a serious, sometimes fatal, reaction to mammal-based foods or products. AGS is present and growing throughout the Northeast. Suffolk County leads the nation in the number of reported cases by county. Congratulations to Assemblyman Schiavoni for this legislation to advance the cause of reporting that is vital to informing and protecting New Yorkers.”

New York State Assemblymember Amy R Paulin said: “Alpha-gal syndrome is a serious and increasingly prevalent condition that can have devastating consequences, including severe illness and even death. Even in less severe cases, it can dramatically alter a person’s daily life, forcing major dietary changes and limiting foods such as meat and dairy that people may have eaten their entire lives without issue. Too often, individuals suffering from alpha-gal syndrome do not understand why they are suddenly becoming so sick after eating familiar foods, and delays in diagnosis can prolong both suffering and risk. This legislation is critical because better reporting will increase awareness among both residents and healthcare providers, helping ensure that alpha-gal syndrome is recognized, identified, and treated as quickly as possible. I commend Senator Schiavoni for sponsoring this important legislation and for helping shine a light on a condition that far too many people still know little about.”

New York State Assemblyman Steve Otis, an advocate for Alpha-gal Syndrome awareness and co-sponsor of the legislation said, "Through the new Alpha-Gal Syndrome (AGS) webpage, the NYS Department of Health has already taken major steps to alert the public of the growing health risk posed by this growing health threat. This legislation supports the important next step, the Department of Health rulemaking to add AGS to the NYS list of communicable diseases and the reporting requirements that will provide New Yorkers with timely information on the spread of AGS in our state. Alpha-Gal Syndrome is an emerging tick-bite-associated allergy to meat that may cause a serious, sometimes fatal, reaction to mammal-based foods or products. AGS is present and growing throughout the Northeast. Suffolk County leads the nation in the number of reported cases by county. Congratulations to Assemblyman Schiavoni for this legislation to advance the cause of reporting that is vital to informing and protecting New Yorkers.”