1. Director of Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Response
The Facts of Lice!
Sheri Tubach
Director of Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Response

2. Objective
The objective of this presentation is to provide current research and recommendations about head lice in the school setting

3. Acknowledge that when most of us hear the word “lice” we immediately have an “icky reaction”
Parents and potentially staff have a tendency to react with great fear and panic
In the past children with lice have been banished from school and advised not to return until they are “nit free”
The Fear Factor

4. Kansas Administrative Regulations
Prior to 2007
No Nit Policy
2007 – 2018
Students with live lice excluded until treatment Initiation
2018 – Present
No regulation
Recommendation is for students to remain at school

5. All About Lice
Lice have been our companions since ancient times and have so befriended us, that they can’t live without us
Lice are host specific parasites so human lice don’t live on other animals
Lice must feed on human blood
Lice die within 24 hours of separation from human hosts
Head Lice are a common nuisance, do not spread disease, and are not considered a health hazard

6. Transmission Direct head to head contact Lice CANNOT jump or fly
Lice crawl quickly from head to head when in close contact
Nits (eggs) do not transmit lice
Indirect transmission can occur
Schools are not a common source of transmission

7. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Students diagnosed with head lice do not need to be sent home early from school; they can go home at the end of the day, be treated, and return to class after treatment has begun
Personal hygiene or cleanliness in the home has nothing to do with getting head lice
The burden of unnecessary absenteeism to the students, families, and communities far outweighs the risks associated with head lice

8. American Academy of Pediatrics
No healthy child should be excluded from or allowed to miss school time because of head lice
No-nit policies for return to school should be abandoned
School personnel should be appropriately trained to correctly diagnosis active head lice infestation
Head lice screening programs in the school setting does reduce incidence of lice infestation and are not cost-effective

9. National Association of School Nurses
The management of lice infestation should not disrupt the educational process
No disease is associated with head lice
In-school transmission is considered rare
Children with live head lice should remain in class

10. No-nit Polices: What is wrong with them?
Children are often excluded due to misidentification of nits or the presence of nonviable nits
Assumes nits are viable and / or transmissible
Not justified for medical or public health purposes
No other minor medical condition excludes children (upper respiratory infections) which are often more contagious
Exclusion may hinder academic performance and increase social stigma
Burdensome to children, school personnel, and parents

11. Recommended Lice Policy
Parent Education
Educating and supporting the child and parent with factual, nonjudgmental information
Training for school personnel
Child with active head lice infestation
Remain in class
Notify the parent or guardian
Provide parent or guardian with information on the safe and effective treatment of lice
Maintain confidentiality
Return to school
After treatment has begun
Don’t check for nits
Recommended Lice Policy

12. Unnecessary Responses to Lice
Notification of classmates parents
Classroom or schoolwide screenings
Insecticide treatments to the school environment
Reporting to Social Services in the absence of other indicators

13. Challenges Myth and fear Personal experiences No-Nit organizations
Industry
Products
Nit-picking services

14. Conclusion
Head lice is not an emergency nor a threat to your school community
Head lice is a nuisance for your students and their families
Children and parents dealing with head lice may feel stigmatized
Education of students, families based on fact and not fear
Head lice should not interfere with a student’s opportunity to learn

15. Resources http://www.kdheks.gov/c-f/head_lice.htm
cational-initiatives/lice-lessons
chools.html
ent/135/5/e1355

16. Thank you! Kansas Department of Health and Environment
KDHE Epidemiology Hotline: