Central Coast teen becomes first Australian fatality from tick-induced red meat allergy.

Jeremy Webb was on a trip with three friends on the Central Coast when he ate beef sausages that had been cooked over a campfire.

Andrew Hedgman News.com.au

A Central Coast teenager has been identified as the first Australian to die from a rare tick-related red meat allergy, following an inquest into his sudden death during a camping trip.

Jeremy Webb, 16, was staying with friends at MacMasters Beach in June 2022 when he began struggling to breathe after eating beef sausages. The group tried to help him as his condition worsened, but he collapsed and died in hospital.

Jeremy died at Gosford Hospital on June 11, 2022, with the inquest confirming that the cause of death was anaphylaxis due to mammalian meat allergy after a tick bite. The bite caused an acute exacerbation of asthma, which progressed to status asthmaticus.

At the time, his death was attributed to asthma. However, an inquest has since determined the underlying cause was an anaphylactic reaction to mammalian meat allergy, a condition triggered by previous tick bites, which, in turn, set off a severe asthma attack.

His mum Myfanwy Webb said that from the age of two, her son was repeatedly bitten by ticks while camping in bushland on the NSW Central Coast.

Jeremy Webb’s death reportedly caused by meat allergy from tick bites. Picture: Supplied

“When I first suspected mammalian meat allergy, I did look into it, but there wasn’t much information back then,” Ms Webb said.

“I sort of saw it as a food intolerance, not an allergy that can kill you from anaphylaxis.”

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NSW Deputy State Coroner Carmel Forbes found the allergic response was the primary driver of the teenager’s death.

Jeremy had been experiencing symptoms of mammalian meat allergy since about the age of 10, including nausea and shortness of breath after eating red meat.

He also had a history of asthma, with previous hospital admissions in 2019 and 2021 showing a combination of asthma exacerbations and suspected allergic reactions.

Ambulance officers administered adrenaline during one incident in 2021 after noting a red meat allergy following a tick bite. Despite this, the potential severity of his condition had not been fully recognised in hospital discharge protocols.

The condition, more widely known as alpha-gal syndrome, is a potentially life-threatening allergy to mammalian products, including beef, pork, and lamb.

In some cases, it can also be triggered by gelatine and certain animal-derived fats.

Unlike most food allergies, which usually cause symptoms within minutes, alpha-gal reactions can be delayed by several hours, making it harder to recognise the cause.

Jeremy’s friends tried to help as his condition worsened, but he collapsed and died in hospital. Picture: Supplied

Clinical immunologist Sheryl van Nunen posthumously diagnosed Jeremy with the condition, linking his history of tick bites to the fatal reaction.

She told the inquest there had been a 40 per cent year-on-year increase in mammalian meat allergy diagnoses in Australia since 2020, with the highest rates in NSW and Queensland.

CSIRO research scientist Alexander Gofton told the court that three-quarters of mammalian meat allergy cases occurred in 20 per cent of geographic regions, with the highest rates in coastal NSW and Queensland.

The leading areas are Pittwater, the Richmond Valley hinterland, and the Gold Coast hinterland.

Fatalities linked directly to mammalian meat allergy are considered exceptionally rare worldwide.

Professor van Nunen told the ABC that Jeremy’s death was the first documented fatal case of mammalian meat allergy in the country and second in the world.

The teen had developed a severe allergy to mammalian meats. Picture: iStock

Australian organisation Tick Induced Allergies Research and Awareness (TIARA) recommends “dressing for the occasion” before going out into the bush by wearing a long-sleeved shirt tucked into full-length pants with socks pulled over the top.

If you or someone you know is bitten by a tick, do not “pick” it out of the skin with tweezers or tick-removal gadgets that might accidentally squeeze the tick.

Doing so could lead to “tick saliva entering the body and increasing the risk of tick-induced allergies”.

The best removal method is to spray a freezing medication and then allow it to drop off. If that fails, TIARA advises visiting your local GP or emergency department.

The coroner has recommended that the Central Coast Local Health District update its allergy education programs and hospital protocols to include mammalian meat allergy as a potential cause of anaphylaxis, highlighting atypical presentations and the importance of taking a detailed food history.

The paralysis tick (Ixodes holocyclus) is found along Australia’s east coast and can trigger rare, potentially life-threatening red meat allergies. Picture: NSW government

The inquest also highlighted Jeremy’s remarkable character, noting his martial arts achievements, IT skills, and love of adventure.

His mother told the court that he “had a great sense of fun and adventure and enjoyed life to the brim”.

He had earnt a black belt in karate after years of disciplined training and was a volunteer support ambassador for Microsoft help.

Jeremy also had a passion for hands‑on projects, often tinkering with engines, from lawnmowers and quad bikes to jet skis and motorbikes. He even restored a run‑down van as one of his final projects.

Outdoors, he thrived on adventure, spending hours surfing, mountain biking, and camping with friends.

His outgoing, compassionate nature left a lasting impression. Family and friends remember him not just for his skills but for his zest for life.

Three of his mates have tattoos in remembrance of Jeremy.

Jeremy Webb has been remembered as a young man who “enjoyed life to the brim” and had a great sense of adventure. Picture: Supplied

Central Coast councillor Jared Wright shared a personal memory of Jeremy on Thursday, recalling how the teenager was once his kindergarten buddy.

“When I was in year six in primary school (Kincumber Primary School), Jeremy was assigned as my buddy as he was in kindergarten,” Mr Wright said.

“I haven’t seen him in many years now but I always remember him being so happy and he had the biggest smile.

“He was a polite and intelligent young man and I know that the Central Coast community is behind his family at this time.”

Speaking outside court, Ms Webb credited the inquest for providing her family with answers about her son’s death.

She told the ABC that Thursday’s findings would make Jeremy “so, so proud”.

“During his life, Jeremy made a positive impact on the lives of his friends, family and also strangers,” Ms Webb said.

“Jeremy continues to make a positive impact (by) saving lives into the future.

“He made a difference when he was alive and now he’s still continuing to make a difference when he’s passed, which is really incredible.”