Which rodent-borne disease is historically the most significant and dangerous?

The plague is historically the most significant and dangerous rodent-borne disease due to its profound impact on human populations, especially in the past. Caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis, the plague is known for its ability to cause widespread epidemics, most notably the Black Death in the 14th century, which resulted in the deaths of millions of people across Europe and Asia. The high mortality rate associated with untreated plague and its transmission from rodents to humans through fleas have made it a critical disease of public health concern.

The plague has several forms, including bubonic, septicemic, and pneumonic, each posing different levels of risk and modes of transmission. The historical significance of the plague underscores not just its immediate health impacts, but also its lasting effects on societies and economies throughout history.

While other diseases like hantavirus, salmonellosis, and leptospirosis are indeed serious, especially in specific contexts, they have not had the same level of historical impact or the potential for widespread mortality as the plague. Thus, the plague stands out as the most significant and dangerous rodent-borne disease through history.