Fact Check: Is Bill Gates behind the spread of ticks that cause red meat allergy?

Media Bias Fact Check (MBFC) publishes daily vetted fact checks from verified IFCN-approved sources. Each claim is independently reviewed for accuracy and context.


Claimant: Social Media


Claim: Microsoft founder Bill Gates, whose foundation funds health research initiatives, is behind the proliferation of a tick that spreads alpha-gal syndrome, a condition that causes humans to develop a potentially life-threatening allergy to red meat and other products that contain the molecule alpha-gal.


Rating: FALSE


Explanation: The Gates Foundation has funded research involving ticks, but not research spreading the ticks that cause alpha-gal syndrome or a red meat allergy.


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Date: 05/26/2026


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Last Updated on May 26, 2026 by Media Bias Fact Check