UQ researchers target head lice problem

Almost half the children in some Queensland schools can have head lice at the same time, according to a University of Queensland lecturer.

Microbiology and Parasitology Department lecturer Dr Steve Barker said head lice were rife in Queensland schools.

'The main problem with head lice is that students miss out on classes because most schools send them home. Children normally feel pretty lousy and become quite irritable which means they have problems concentrating on their studies,' Dr Barker said.

In response to the problem, the University's Head Louse Research Clinic is offering free consultations and a complimentary bottle of treatment in exchange for head lice.

The Clinic was established by the Department and the UQ Health Clinic and needs the lice for research into pesticide-resistance.

'Our preliminary findings indicate that head lice may be resistant to certain types of pesticides, such as organophosphates, which are currently used in some head lice treatments,' Dr Barker said.

The clinic, open from 3:30-5pm each Wednesday, is situated on the ground floor of the Gordon Greenwood Building in Union Road at the University's St Lucia campus.

People interested in participating in the study should call 07 3365 3448 to register their interest.

Dr Barker said head lice infected people by swinging from the hair of one head to another and survived by painlessly sucking blood from skin capillaries, although they were not known to transmit infectious agents.

Most eggs hatch after a week and reach their adult size of about 3mm in nine to 12 days. Their life span is approximately 30 days.

Media: For more information, contact Janet Hunter (telephone 07 3365 1101 at work, 07 3366 2190 at home or mobile 0412 486 394), Dr Steve Barker (telephone 07 3365 1101 or email: s.barker@imb.uq.edu.au) or Joanne van Zeeland at UQ Communications (telephone 07 3365 7045 or email: communications@mailbox.uq.edu.au).