Tick Bite -- No More Steak Fry!

Texans, beware: the lone star tick is coming for your steak dinners!

The lowdown on the bloodsucker:

• The CDC says this tick, found in the east, southeast, and south-central US, is an aggressive little jerk that loves to bite humans and give them diseases.

• The female of the species has a white dot on its back, like a star. A "lone star," if you will. Cute, right? But don't let that fool you.

• These ticks carry a sugar molecule called alpha-gal, which can cause an allergic reaction. You might end up with hives, itching, swelling, or even trouble breathing hours after a delicious burger.

• According to the Mayo Clinic, if you get bit, you could become one of the estimated 450,000 unlucky folks allergic to red meat and other mammal products. That's a lot of sad cowboys.

• Prevention is key: cover up, use bug spray, and check yourself and your kids for ticks.

PETA's take:

PETA wants Gov. Abbott to name this tick the official state arachnid. Why? Because it might turn Texans vegan by making them allergic to meat.

"In 2024, no one should still be clinging to that dirty old meat-eating habit, and anyone ticked off by the way the meat industry treats animals and destroys the environment should go vegan."

So, Texans, either stock up on bug spray or say goodbye to your barbecue forever.

Sources:

• CDC on tick surveillance
• CDC data on suspected cases
• Mayo Clinic on prevention
• PETA's blog post