What is alpha-gal syndrome? The disease which makes people allergic to red meat and dairy

A single tick bite could mean a life-changing diagnosis (Picture: Getty)

A rare and deadly disease is on the rise in the United States, and doctors now believe it was behind at least three deaths.

A minimum of 450,000 people in the US have contracted the rare alpha-gal syndrome – and cases are increasing more each year.

People with alpha-gal syndrome can experience symptoms including hives, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, severe stomach pain, difficulty breathing, dizziness and swelling of the lips...