Moldova Issues Health Alerts on Ragweed Allergies and Rain‑Driven Crop Diseases

The Ministry of Health warned that the ragweed (ambrozie) season, lasting from mid‑July to September, poses a major allergy risk across the Republic of Moldova. Ragweed produces up to 8 billion pollen grains per plant, and concentrations as low as 30 grains per cubic metre can trigger symptoms such as sneezing, nasal congestion, eye irritation, asthma attacks, skin reactions and, in rare cases, anaphylactic shock. The ministry advises people to limit outdoor exposure during peak pollen times, keep windows closed, use air‑conditioning, and seek allergist care. It also calls on landowners and local authorities to control ragweed mechanically or with herbicides.

Separately, the National Agency for Food Safety reported that unusually heavy rains have raised humidity, creating ideal conditions for fungal and bacterial plant diseases—including downy mildew, powdery mildew, alternaria, anthracnose and various rots—that threaten Moldova’s crops. The agency urges farmers to monitor fields closely, apply appropriate treatments, and adopt preventive measures to protect yields.