Which type of louse are known vectors of typhus and relapsing fever?

Body lice are known to be vectors of typhus and relapsing fever. They thrive in clothing and are often associated with poor hygiene and crowded living conditions, which facilitates the spread of these diseases. Unlike head lice or pubic lice, which primarily infest their respective anatomical areas and do not transmit such diseases, body lice have a life cycle that allows them to inhabit clothing, where they can transmit pathogens through their feces when hosts scratch the affected areas. This unique behavior makes body lice significant in the public health context concerning the diseases they can carry, highlighting the importance of proper hygiene and sanitation in controlling outbreaks.