Head Lice Laws in Oregon

Head lice, called Pediculus capitis, have been around since prehistoric times. Although these lice make their homes only on human heads, where they feed on blood, they aren't particularly harmful and don't carry disease. However, they are contagious and can spread rather widely among children in school environments and elsewhere. This is why states such as Oregon have put guidelines into place to help control the spread of this parasitic pest.

Imposition of Restrictions

• In order to protect the public health with respect to a host of communicable diseases, the state of Oregon publishes a document called "Disease Reporting Rules 333-019." The report outlines several restrictive points for people who attend or work in child care facilities or schools or who work in health care. Such individuals must stay away from such facilities if they have a so-called "restrictable" disease. In the case of pediculosis (lice infestation), according to point 4 of the code, it's up to the discretion of local school or health authorities to decide whether a head lice outbreak warrants imposition of restrictions. Further, the school governing body or local health authority is within its rights to impose more stringent rules of exclusion if necessary.

Removal of Restrictions

• School, child care and workplace restrictions imposed because of a communicable disease in Oregon can be removed by declaration of the local public health authority. This assumes that those in charge have taken the proper measures and precautions to lower or eradicate transmission risk. Concern for pediculosis is much less than it is for diseases such as chickenpox, scabies, staphylococcal skin infections and streptococcal infections, and these more serious infections need only the nod of a school nurse or health care provider to remove restrictions.

Multnomah County Oregon Lice Tip Sheet

• You can stop lice in their tracks if you can avoid a full-on lice breakout, reports the Oregon county of Multnomah. It should be a regular grooming habit: check all family members on a weekly basis. Don't allow kids to share any head-related items, such as hats or scarves, combs or headphones. Make sure your daycare child gets a dedicated blanket that she doesn't share. Your kid's sleeping bag should not be shared across children. Shampoo hair on a daily basis mostly as a frequent opportunity to look for lice. As most outbreaks of lice happen outside school, know about other source locations, including private homes, churches and clubs.

  You can get general information about head lice and what to do about them by visiting the county website at Multnomah Education Service District/School Health Services (http://www.mesd.k12.or.us/shs/headlice). Otherwise, you can call the Multnomah County Health Department head lice hotline at 503-988-3373.