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SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - A case of head lice at Weledeh Catholic school prompted school officials to send home a notice to parents last week.

Weledeh principal Merril Dean said the school notified parents of the case of head lice and provided an information pamphlet titled "Lice, lice, lice: All there is to know about head lice" so they can take precautionary measures.

Pediculus humanus capitis, better known as head lice, has made an unwanted appearance in a Yellowknife school. - Source http://phil.cdc.gov/phil/details.asp

"We sent home a note as per public health telling people it's not a public health concern," she said. "We provide info on how to clear it up and as a school we remind our kids not to do things like share hats and toques and things like that."

Head lice are tiny, grey-colored parasites the size of a sesame seed. They feed on blood and can live up to 30 days near the hair roots. They sometimes can be found in eyebrows or beards and can lay up to eight eggs a day.

Public health nurse Rachel Nolting said head lice do not spread disease, are not a public health risk to anyone and are spread through direct contact, mostly head-to-head.

"Anyone can get it but school children are more likely because they are often sharing items more than adults do," Nolting said. "It tends to be seen in the age group of three- to 12-year-old children."

Weledeh follows public health protocol. Public health protocol implemented in July 2003 does not recommend sending children with head lice home from school until they have received treatment.

"It's too stigmatizing to do that with kids," she said. "We have a whole societal thing about lice that says they live where it's dirty and they don't. Lice prefer clean hair."

Nolting said parents play a large role in preventing the spread of head lice at school.

"We encourage parents to check their children's hair at least once a week when they are in school," she said. "If there is a case of head lice in a school they should be checking daily."

Making sure parents use effective methods to treat head lice is important because certain methods are less effective than others.

"There are special shampoos available and these are the most effective methods," Nolting said. "Home remedies haven't been proven to be effective. Smothering methods haven't been proven to be effective either because lice can live long periods of time without oxygen."