An
acute infectious malady with fever, headache, and rash, all quite
similar to,
but milder than,
epidemic typhus, caused by a
related microoganism,
rickettsia typhi (mooseri), transmitted to humans by
rat fleas (xenopsylla cheopis). The
animal reservoir includes rats,
mice and another rodents. Murine
typhus occurs sporadically worldwide
but is more prevalent in
congested rat-infested urban areas. Also known as
endemic typhus, rat-flea typhus; urban
typhus of malaya).