Rabies & Wild Berries: Should You Be Worried?
- Kathi
- Apr 2
- 3 min read
Updated: Apr 9
One of the most common fears when foraging for berries is the dreaded "What if an animal with rabies licked this berry? Can I get infected?"
This concern pops up again and again, but let’s clear things up—because the real risks of foraging have less to do with rabies and more to do with dirt, pesticides, or toxic lookalikes.
Can You Get Rabies from Wild Berries?
In short: It’s extremely unlikely.
Rabies is a virus that spreads through direct contact with the saliva or nervous tissue of an infected animal—typically through a bite. The virus doesn’t survive long outside the host, meaning that by the time you pick a berry, any potential virus traces would likely be inactive.
Plus, in most parts of Europe, rabies in wildlife has significantly declined due to vaccination programs for foxes, which were once the primary carriers. Bats are still a reservoir for rabies, but they don’t typically land on berries for a snack.
Can Rabies Spread Through Urine?
Rabies is primarily spread through bites from infected animals, as the virus is present in saliva and needs to enter the body through broken skin or mucous membranes.
Urine, feces, or blood from a rabid animal is not a known transmission route unless it directly enters an open wound or mucous membrane (e.g., eyes, mouth).
The virus is fragile outside the body—it dies quickly when exposed to sunlight, air, and environmental conditions.
What About Berries & Water?
If an infected animal urinates on berries or in water, the virus would likely not survive long enough to pose a real threat.
Washing berries and boiling water (if unsure about its purity) are good safety habits, but the risk of rabies from these sources is negligible.
Why Do People Fear This?
The fear of rabies from wild berries is mostly an urban myth—likely because we associate wild animals = possible disease and because rabies is one of those particularly terrifying illnesses (with good reason—it’s fatal once symptoms appear). However, berries aren’t a realistic transmission route.
What Can You Do to Stay Safe?
While rabies isn’t a concern, washing your foraged berries is always a good idea! Here’s why:
Dirt & Bacteria Wild berries grow close to the ground, so they can pick up soil bacteria (like E. coli) or other contaminants.
Pesticides & Pollution If berries grow near roadsides or treated areas, they might be exposed to harmful chemicals.
Animal Waste While rabies isn’t an issue, other diseases (like toxoplasmosis or parasites from foxes) can be present in animal droppings.
Best Practice:
Rinse your berries with clean water before eating them. If you’re out in nature and don’t have water with you, rubbing them clean in your hands is better than nothing—but a proper rinse is always the safest bet.
If you feel unsure about identifying and using wild herbs, then grab a spot on one of my guided herbal walks!
herbal walks
Join me for a guided herbal walk and discover the power of local wild herbs – learn how to identify them and use them for health, beauty, and everyday wellbeing.
Whether you're new to herbs or already love nature, you're welcome to explore with us!
Final Verdict: No Rabies, Just Rinse & Enjoy!
So, next time you're tempted by a handful of wild raspberries or blueberries, you can rest easy—rabies isn’t lurking on your snack. But do give them a quick wash to avoid more realistic risks. Happy foraging!
Comments