A weekend camping trip on Australia’s Central Coast was meant to be a break from routine — time with friends, fresh air, and shared food around a campsite. Instead, it became the setting of a tragedy that would take years to fully understand.
Jeremy Webb, just 16 years old, died in 2022 after falling seriously ill shortly after eating beef sausages during a trip to MacMasters Beach. At the time, his death was believed to have been caused by asthma.
Only later would doctors and investigators uncover a far more complex — and largely unknown — cause.
What Happened That Night
Jeremy began experiencing severe breathing difficulties not long after eating. Friends attempted life-saving measures before he was transported to a nearby hospital, where he later died.
Initially, medical authorities attributed the death to a severe asthma attack. For his family, however, questions lingered.
In November 2025, his parents, Myfanwy Webb and Johnathan Webb, pushed for a new inquest, hoping to better understand what had happened to their son.
Their persistence led to a significant medical finding.
A Different Cause Emerges
On Feb. 26, New South Wales Deputy State Coroner Carmel Forbes ruled that Jeremy’s death was caused by anaphylaxis — a severe allergic reaction — triggered by a mammalian meat allergy.
The reaction dramatically worsened his asthma, leading to respiratory failure known medically as status asthmaticus.
The coroner concluded that without the allergic reaction, the asthma alone would not have been fatal.
During the inquiry, clinical immunologist Sheryl van Nunen posthumously diagnosed Jeremy with alpha-gal syndrome, a rare condition linked to tick bites.
Understanding Alpha-Gal Syndrome
Alpha-gal syndrome is an allergy to red meat and other products derived from mammals. Unlike most food allergies, reactions often appear hours after eating, making the condition difficult to recognize.
The allergy develops after certain tick bites trigger an immune response to a sugar molecule found in mammalian meat such as beef, pork, or lamb.
In Jeremy’s case, the inquest heard he had experienced repeated tick bites while spending time in bushland as a child. The specific tick species responsible remains unknown.
Health experts say the condition is still poorly understood by the public and sometimes even overlooked in medical settings because symptoms can resemble asthma attacks or unexplained allergic reactions.
Jeremy is now believed to be Australia’s first recorded fatality linked to tick-induced red meat allergy.
Why This Case Resonates Beyond One Family
For many families, camping trips and outdoor adventures are woven into childhood memories — especially in countries like Australia, where nature is part of everyday life.
Jeremy’s story highlights how environmental risks can evolve in unexpected ways. A tick bite years earlier, seemingly harmless at the time, may silently reshape a person’s health long afterward.
The ruling is expected to increase awareness among doctors and the public about alpha-gal syndrome, particularly in regions where tick exposure is common.
Greater awareness could help people recognize unusual allergic reactions sooner and seek specialized testing.
A Legacy Still Taking Shape
After the ruling, Jeremy’s mother said her son continues to make a difference even after his death — a reflection of how personal loss can sometimes lead to broader understanding.
For his family, answers arrived too late to change the outcome. But they may help prevent future tragedies, turning one family’s grief into knowledge that could quietly protect others enjoying the outdoors they love.
