What is the primary risk associated with fleas as parasites of rodents?

The primary risk associated with fleas as parasites of rodents is the potential for disease transmission to humans. Fleas are known vectors for various diseases, including plague and murine typhus, which can affect human populations. These diseases are often transmitted to humans through fleas that have fed on infected rodents. Once the flea bites an infected rodent, the pathogens can be transmitted to humans through direct contact with the fleas or indirectly through environmental contamination.

Other options, while also valid concerns regarding fleas, do not capture the primary public health risk as effectively as disease transmission does. Allergic reactions and discomfort from bites can occur, but they tend to be less severe than the risk of contracting serious diseases. The rapid reproduction of fleas, although a notable characteristic, is mainly a factor that exacerbates flea infestations rather than the primary concern regarding health risks associated with their presence as rodent parasites.