What is the primary means by which murine typhus is transmitted?

Murine typhus is primarily transmitted through contact with the feces of infected fleas, especially those that infest rodents like rats and mice. This disease is caused by the bacteria Rickettsia typhi, which is commonly carried by these fleas. When an infected flea bites a host, it can transfer the bacteria through its feces. If these feces come into contact with broken skin or mucous membranes, an individual may become infected.

Other transmission methods are less relevant for murine typhus. Direct contact with infected animals is not a primary method, as the fleas themselves are the main vector. Ingestion of contaminated food does not serve as a significant transmission route for murine typhus either, unlike certain other diseases that can be spread through food contamination. Aerosol transmission is also not applicable in this case, as the bacteria do not spread through the air in respiratory droplets. Thus, the most accurate route of transmission for murine typhus is indeed through contact with the feces of infected fleas.