Is lice a common vector for typhus?

Terminology issues: Lice most often refers to head lice, pediculosis humanus capitis. Another species, pediculosis humanus corporis is gererally referred to as the body louse.The body louse is a vector for typhus and head lice are just a pest.

Yes: The clothing louse, sometimes referred to as the body louse, can transmit epidemic typhus. Typhus in the usa is endemic or murine typhus, a generally milder disease caused by a different rickettsia and transmitted by fleas. In the past few years, there have been clusters of cases of murine typhus in parts of southern california.