[6] In developed countries, infestations are only a problem in areas of poverty where there is poor body hygiene, crowded living conditions, and a lack of access to clean clothing.

[7] Outbreaks can also occur in situations where large groups of people are forced to live in unsanitary conditions.

These types of outbreaks are seen globally in prisons, homeless populations, refugees of war, or when natural disasters occur and proper sanitation is not available.

[13] The life cycle of the body louse consists of three stages: egg, nymph, and adult.

[19] The body louse belongs to the phylum Arthropoda, class Insecta, order Psocodea and family Pediculidae.

[citation needed] In principle, body louse infestations can be controlled by periodically changing clothes and bedding.

[14] Relapsing fever can be treated with tetracycline and depending on the severity of the disease, if left untreated it has a fatality rate between 10 and 40%.