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Head lice ‘census’ under way

Posted on February 12, 2010, 7:07am and updated on February 12, 2010 at 8:15 am

Amid new reports of head lice in Mount Gambier schools, the first ever census of head lice has been launched to collect data on the nature of the unwelcome little parasite that everyone dreads.

The census, in the form of an online survey, is part of this week’s National Head Lice Awareness Week to provide parents and schools with up-to-date information on finding, treating and preventing head lice.

The online survey runs for the entire month of February and 100 parents who register for the survey on the website www.fullmarks.com.au/nhaw, stand a chance to each win a “Full Marks” head lice treatment pack.

The website also contains simple and clear information for parents and support for teachers including facts about head lice, handy hints and tips, and the detection and treatment of head lice.

Jane Whittles, marketing director of SSL Australia, the company behind the campaign, said National Head Lice Awareness Week encouraged every primary school in Australia to communicate with parents by asking them to check children for head lice at the start of the school year.

“Schools can play a massive part in reducing head lice,” Ms Whittles said.

“It only takes one untreated child to spread head lice to many children and classrooms are a perfect place to do this as there are a lot of children working and playing together in close proximity.

“We are hoping to educate more parents and schools on how to correctly check for and identify head lice, and provide the quickest and most effective methods of treatment.

“Prompt identification and treatment is the best way to reduce the spread of lice through schools.”

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