Which statement about disease transmission by lice is true?

Which statement about disease transmission by lice is true?

• A. Head Louse Transmits Typhus
• B. Body Louse Transmits Typhus
• C. Head Louse and Crab Louse Do Not Transmit Diseases
• D. Crab Louse Transmits Malaria

Answer: (C)

Not all lice spread disease; the ability to transmit pathogens depends on the species. Typhus is classically associated with the body louse, while head lice and pubic (crab) lice are not known to transmit diseases under typical conditions. Malaria, on the other hand, is transmitted by mosquitoes, not by lice. So the statement that head louse and crab louse do not transmit diseases correctly captures the usual vectors for these conditions: body louse can be a disease carrier, whereas the others are not.

Not all lice spread disease; the ability to transmit pathogens depends on the species. Typhus is classically associated with the body louse, while head lice and pubic (crab) lice are not known to transmit diseases under typical conditions. Malaria, on the other hand, is transmitted by mosquitoes, not by lice. So the statement that head louse and crab louse do not transmit diseases correctly captures the usual vectors for these conditions: body louse can be a disease carrier, whereas the others are not.