UQ offers a program to control head lice in schools

The University of Queensland will offer a new program to Queensland primary schools to help tackle the problem of head lice.

In 2003 the University will implement the Training for head louse control in Queensland primary schools project.

Microbiology and Parasitology Department reader Dr Stephen Barker who will oversee the program said head lice were rife in Queensland schools.

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

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

Project coordinator Janet Hunter said the program would help school communities deal with the ever-growing problem of head lice.

“In one day we can train parents and children in effective head louse control, screen pupils for head lice and leave in place a control-program. “This will ensure head lice are not such a problem, providing that the program continues after the initial nitbusting day. “A mass screening day once per term lies at the heart of our program,” she said.

Ms Hunter said the nitbusting team would initially cover Brisbane schools.

“At present there is no cost to the school and you will receive expert training and a complete kit. “This will include things like templates; letters to seek the consent of parents and guardians to check their children for head lice and forms that report back to the parents and guardians,” Ms Hunter said.

Media: For more information, contact Janet Hunter (telephone 07 3366 2190 or mobile 0411 576 339, email: girrajan@hotmail.com) or UQ Communications (telephone 07 3365 3367, email: communications@uq.edu.au).