[Trigger Warning]
A NSW coronial inquest has officially confirmed that 16-year-old Jeremy Webb is the first person in Australia to die from Alpha-gal syndrome, a rare tick-induced red meat allergy. Jeremy passed away in June 2022 during a camping trip at MacMasters Beach after consuming beef sausages for dinner. While his death was originally attributed to a fatal asthma attack, Deputy State Coroner Carmel Forbes ruled that the underlying cause was actually a severe anaphylactic reaction to mammalian meat.
The coroner’s findings highlighted the critical link between the allergy and the respiratory distress that followed. “Without the anaphylaxis, the asthma would not have caused his death,” Magistrate Forbes told the court, clarifying that the allergic reaction acted as the primary trigger. This landmark ruling follows a determined push by Jeremy’s parents, Myfanwy and Johnathan Webb, who sought the inquest to uncover the truth behind their son’s sudden passing and to warn others of the hidden dangers of the condition.
Alpha-gal syndrome, or mammalian meat allergy, is a life-threatening condition typically triggered by tick bites. Clinical immunologist Sheryl van Nunen, who posthumously diagnosed Jeremy, explained that the teen had been bitten by ticks multiple times while camping in the NSW Central Coast bushland since the age of two. Unlike typical food allergies, Alpha-gal reactions are often delayed by several hours, making it difficult for victims to connect their symptoms to the food they consumed.
For the Webb family, the inquest provided a sense of closure and a platform to spread awareness about a condition they once viewed as minor. Reflecting on her initial research into the syndrome, Myfanwy Webb admitted, “I sort of saw it as a food intolerance, not an allergy that can kill you from anaphylaxis.” She expressed that the formal recognition of the cause of death would have made Jeremy “so, so proud,” as his story may now serve to protect others.
Medical experts during the inquest noted that a previous hospital visit by Jeremy represented a “missed opportunity” to identify the allergy before it became fatal. To prevent future tragedies, Magistrate Forbes recommended that Jeremy’s case be utilized as a clinical case study by the Central Coast Local Health District. This academic focus aims to better equip healthcare professionals to recognize the signs of Alpha-gal syndrome in high-risk tick areas.
The grief-stricken parents hope that the public education resulting from this tragedy will be Jeremy’s lasting legacy. “If these changes in public education can help prevent other patients from dying from alpha-gal, then that’s all we want,” Johnathan Webb said outside the court. He emphasized the heavy burden of their loss, stating, “I don’t want any other parents to have to go through it. It’s something you live with for the rest of your life. It’s tough.”
The inquest heard that Jeremy’s death is believed to be only the second documented fatal case of Alpha-gal syndrome worldwide, marking a significant moment for medical history in Australia. His mother remains comforted by the fact that her son’s life continues to have a meaningful reach. “Jeremy continues to make a positive impact [by] saving lives into the future,” she said. “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.”
Our hearts go out to the Webb family in the loss of Jeremy, a boy guilty of nothing more than enjoying a camping trip. We hope the conclusion of the inquest brings them some measure of closure.
The incidence of Alpha-gal syndrome is skyrocketing across the US, and with spring coming and more time spent outdoors, be sure to take extra precautions against tick bites. See our primer “Longer Tick Season Ahead: Protect Yourself from Alpha-Gal Syndrome with Our FAQ.”
