Which flies are known to transmit typhoid?

Study for the Texas Public Health Pest Control Test. Prepare with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each question has hints and explanations. Get ready for your exam!

Filth flies are recognized for their role in transmitting diseases, including typhoid fever. These flies are typically found in unsanitary environments where they breed in decaying organic matter, such as garbage and animal waste. Their feeding habits involve landing on contaminated surfaces and then transferring pathogens to food or water, which can lead to illness in humans.

The relationship between filth flies and typhoid is particularly significant because they can carry the bacteria Salmonella typhi, which is the causative agent of typhoid fever. As these flies frequently come into contact with human waste and other sources of contamination, they play a crucial role in the epidemiology of the disease, especially in areas with inadequate sanitation practices.

In contrast, the other options—tiger mosquitoes, flesh flies, and horse flies—are not typically associated with the transmission of typhoid. While they may transmit other diseases, their ecological habits and feeding behaviors do not position them as vectors for typhoid fever. Hence, filth flies are the correct answer regarding the transmission of this particular disease.

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