Which of the following diseases is historically recognized as a significant rodent-borne illness?

The plague is historically recognized as a significant rodent-borne illness due to its transmission through rodents, primarily rats. The bacterium Yersinia pestis, which causes the plague, is typically carried by fleas that infest these rodents. When rodent populations decline or become infected, the fleas seek alternative hosts, including humans. This has led to devastating outbreaks throughout history, most notably during the Black Death in the 14th century, which resulted in millions of deaths across Europe, Asia, and Africa. The connection between rodents and this disease has solidified the plague's classification as a principal rodent-borne illness.

While typhus, hantavirus, and rabies are associated with wildlife and can impact human health, they do not have the same historical significance or the clear association with rodent populations that the plague has. Typhus is spread by lice, hantavirus is linked to specific rodents but lacks the widespread impact historically, and rabies primarily affects mammals through bites but is not classified as a rodent-borne disease. The unique prominence of the plague in history, combined with its direct link to rodent populations, underscores its significance as a rodent-borne illness.