Which statement about diseases transmitted by fleas is correct?

Which statement about diseases transmitted by fleas is correct?

• A. Head Louse and Crab Louse Transmit Epidemic Typhus
• B. Body Louse Does Not Transmit Diseases
• C. Head Louse and Crab Louse Do Not Transmit Diseases
• D. Body Louse Transmits Epidemic Typhus, Trench Fever, Relapsing Fever

Answer: (D)

The key idea is which blood-sucking insect actually transmits these diseases. Epidemic typhus, trench fever, and louse-borne relapsing fever are all transmitted by the body louse. In crowded, unhygienic conditions, infected body lice spread these pathogens to people, often through lice feces that get into the skin or through scratching after a lick of lice. Head lice and pubic lice are not known as vectors for these particular diseases, so attributing transmission to them isn’t correct. Therefore, the statement that the body louse transmits epidemic typhus, trench fever, and relapsing fever is the accurate one.

The key idea is which blood-sucking insect actually transmits these diseases. Epidemic typhus, trench fever, and louse-borne relapsing fever are all transmitted by the body louse. In crowded, unhygienic conditions, infected body lice spread these pathogens to people, often through lice feces that get into the skin or through scratching after a lick of lice. Head lice and pubic lice are not known as vectors for these particular diseases, so attributing transmission to them isn’t correct. Therefore, the statement that the body louse transmits epidemic typhus, trench fever, and relapsing fever is the accurate one.