I have Alpha Gal from the Lone Star tick, two of my friends too. Its not nearly as bad as Lyme, Alpha Gal produces a strong reaction to meat from mammals . Avoid meat no issue, eat meat you can be in big trouble.

Best preventive routine is avoiding ticks. They cant fly and cant jump. Attach themselves to you when you brush against a plant the tick has climbed. On your body they climb until they have to stop. If you get him off right away chances of infection much less.. I also take two Doxcycline pills, prescription from my GP. This is recommended by the CDC

And strong repellent, however my experience with replent is not all that good. Problem is you dose heavy when going in the woods, just as likely to pick up a tick close to home.

Boats