Abstracts

Ambrosia artemisiifolia (ragweed) is an annual broadleaf plant native to North America, in the Europe it was introduced in the second half of the 19th century with the potatoes and seeds of wheat and red clover. Ragweed is an invasive weed species and one of the most important causes of seasonal allergies in Europe, including the Balkan region. Due to its highly allergenic pollen, it has a significant public health concern. A single plant can produce billions of pollen grains, and allergic symptoms may occur even at very low pollen concentrations. Ragweed flowers from August to October, with peak flowering in late summer, and its pollen is readily dispersed by wind over long distances. Pollen of ragweed can cause a range of adverse health effects in sensitized individuals, including allergic rhinitis (nasal congestion, rhinorrhea, and sneezing), allergic conjunctivitis (eye redness, tearing, and burning), exacerbation of asthma symptoms, and a reduced quality of life manifested by fatigue, sleep disturbances, and decreased work and school productivity). Allergic diseases have substantial public health implications, including increased healthcare costs (medications and medical examinations), higher rates of absenteeism from work and school, and an increased burden on healthcare systems during the allergy season. Public health is defined as a set of knowledge, skills, and activities aimed at promoting health, preventing and controlling disease, and prolonging and improving quality of life through organized societal measures. The public health system comprises the structures and processes that create conditions for the preservation and improvement of population health through the activities of public health stakeholders. These stakeholders include, among others, local government units, public media, companies, public enterprises, entrepreneurs, and citizens. Given the fact that ragweed pollen causes a serious health risk, which is further exacerbated by ongoing climate change, regular and systematic monitoring of ragweed occurrence and control is essential. Community-level prevention and management measures include the systematic removal of ragweed before flowering (e.g., uprooting and mowing), maintenance of neglected areas (such as construction sites, roadsides, and agricultural land), public education and engagement of local communities in preventing the spread and ensuring timely control of ragweed, and the development of legislation obligating landowners to implement control measures.

Keywords

Ragweed, Public health, Control

References

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