If memory serves me right from world history, I believe it was the fleas that carried the disease, who in turn used the rat as a host to spread the various plagues that cursed much of Europe throughout the early to mid eras of the western civilization. I think Dr. T-Cups would give a much better answer to that question though. Now Timmy, we've seen the before pix, the dressed pix, so where is the final pix of that BBQ'd critter on a platter!?!?!?!?!? HeHeHe, tjk