Epidemic louse-borne typhus
![Coloured TEM of Rickettsiae bacterium. © Science Photo Library](https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/sites/default/files/styles/is_large/public/images/Epidemic-louse-borne-typhus_H.jpg?itok=ClGSNu3T)
Louse-borne typhus is a vector-borne disease caused by Rickettsia prowazekii and transmitted through infected faeces of the body louse Pediculus humanus humanus. Louse-borne typhus is responsible for large epidemics in populations with poor sanitary and overcrowded conditions. The disease can be severe with a mortality of up to 60% without antibiotic treatment. But this can be reduced to below 5% with antibiotic and supportive treatment.