Lice removal companies in the GTA say they're seeing a surge in infestations this year
CTV
After nearly 15 years in business, Shawnda Walker said the past 12 months has been the busiest year yet for her North York head lice removal company.
After nearly 15 years in business, Shawnda Walker said the past 12 months has been the busiest year yet for her North York head lice removal company.
“We've seen a significant increase,” Walker, the owner of North York-based Nitwits, told CP24.com this week. “We're up about 24 per cent over our busiest year.”
The increase in activity this year remains bit of a mystery to the head lice expert.
“We're not quite sure what to attribute it to. There has been a lot more travel for sure,” she said.
“There are countries that live with lice. There are many countries out there that don't take it as seriously as North America and… it's part of their general hygiene. And so with more travel happening now, kids are being exposed to more cases.”
Walker added that some of the local school boards have changed their lice policies in recent years, allowing some children to return to the classroom as they are working to treat the lice infestation.
Toronto Public Health said although public health units have no mandate to address head lice infestations, as they are not considered a public health hazard, the city has a number of tips for parents and caregivers to help prevent the transmission of head lice.
