Head Lice
For information on the treatment and prevention of head lice, please visit: Caring for Kids Head Lice Resource Page.
Head Lice and Schools:
Head lice are considered a nuisance and not a health hazard. Head lice policies in schools are determined by school boards (under the Education Act) and not Region of Peel Public Health.
Region of Peel Public Health supports the Canadian Paediatric Society's (CPS) position that there is no sound medical rationale to support exclusion of students with head lice from school. Children with head lice should be treated and can attend school.
CPS further recommends that:
- Treatment should be recommended, and close head-to-head contact should be discouraged pending treatment.
- Families of children in a classroom where a case of active head lice has been detected should be notified and informed about proper diagnosis, and prevention.
To read the Canadian Paediatric Society's position statement on head lice, please visit: http://www.cps.ca/en/documents/position/head-lice
Disclaimer:
The above information is supplementary to relevant Peel and Dufferin-Peel school board policies. Always refer to school board policy first if you have questions or concerns.
