MISSOURI, USA — A years-old conspiracy theory about a tick-borne red meat allergy has spread online almost as quickly as cases have risen in numerous states.

The Alpha-gal syndrome, spread by the Lone Star tick, has recently made national headlines due to the first death attributed to the syndrome being recorded in New Jersey. Officials in Missouri also recently issued a public health alert about rising cases among farmers, ranchers, hunters, and anglers in the state.

5 On Your Side reported on both of those instances and received an overwhelming amount of comments claiming the allergy was created by Bill Gates and his philanthropic foundation. Our research indicates there's no truth to the claims.

The claims stem from funding that the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation provided to

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