What's happening
This bill requires that alpha-gal syndrome be reported as a communicable disease in New York.
Why it matters
Expands statewide disease tracking. By requiring alpha-gal syndrome (a tick-borne allergy to red meat) to be reported, New York’s public health authorities will have more accurate data on where and how often the condition is occurring, improving the state’s ability to respond in both rural and suburban areas where tick exposure is common.
Impacts healthcare providers and patients. Medical professionals across New York will be obligated to report diagnosed cases, potentially leading to increased awareness among doctors and earlier diagnosis for patients affected by alpha-gal, which can sometimes be misdiagnosed due to its unusual symptoms.
Lays groundwork for future policy and research. With formal reporting mandated, the state will have better data to inform decisions about tick control, public health outreach, and research funding, which could benefit people living in high-risk regions like the Hudson Valley, Long Island, and upstate areas.
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Who cares
Individuals with Alpha-Gal Syndrome and Their Families
These individuals will be directly affected by improved tracking and awareness, potentially leading to better diagnosis, treatment, and support.
Healthcare Providers and Medical Professionals
Doctors, nurses, and public health officials will need to comply with new reporting requirements and may benefit from clearer data on the prevalence and patterns of alpha-gal syndrome.
Public Health Agencies and Researchers
State and local health departments, as well as academic researchers, will gain access to more comprehensive data, which can inform public health strategies, research, and resource allocation.
Advocacy Groups Focused on Tick-Borne Illnesses
Organizations advocating for increased recognition and support for tick-borne and allergy-related diseases will be interested in the bill’s impact on public awareness and resource distribution.
Headline styles
Report Alpha-Gal Syndrome
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to health
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
10336
IN SENATE
May 14, 2026
Introduced by Sen. C. RYAN -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Health
AN ACT directing the commissioner of health to adopt regulations to include alpha-gal syndrome on the list of communicable diseases that shall be required to be reported in accordance with the sanitary code
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The commissioner of health shall include alpha-gal syndrome on the list of communicable diseases that shall be required to be reported in accordance with 10 NYCRR 2.1.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the thirtieth day after it shall have become a law. Effective immediately, the addition, amendment and/or repeal of any rule or regulation necessary for the implementation of this act on its effective date are authorized to be made and completed on or before such effective date.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD15659-01-6
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act directing the commissioner of health to adopt regulations to include alpha-gal syndrome on the list of communicable diseases that shall be required to be reported in accordance with the sanitary code
Purpose
Adds the tick-borne alpha-gal syndrome to the list of communicable diseases that require mandated reporting to the department of health, in order to collect useful data on its spread across New York State.
Summary of provisions
Section 1. The commissioner of health shall include alpha-gal syndrome on the list of diseases that shall be required to be reported in accord- ance with 10 NYCRR 2.10.
Section 2: Establishes the effective date.
Justification
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.
Prior legislative history
New bill.
Fiscal implications for state and local government
None.
Effective date
This act shall take effect on the thirtieth day after it shall have become a law. Effective immediately, the addition, amendment and/or repeal of any rule or regulation necessary for the implementation of this act on its effective date are authorized to be made and completed on or before such effective date.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.