While some families have cited an increase in lice infestations in schools as the reason for school closures, the head of the 'Management of Water and Foodborne Diseases' group at the Ministry of Health denied these rumors on Monday, January 7, stating, 'The closure of schools due to lice outbreaks is not true. This infestation is neither an infection nor a disease, so there is no need for school closures.' According to domestic media reports in Iran, Mohammad Zeynali elaborated that 'lice infestations are a common issue that is observed at specific times of the year, especially from the beginning of the school year in September. This infestation is particularly reported in elementary and middle schools due to gatherings and specific conditions.' He emphasized, 'Although lice are more common during these times, this infestation is controllable, and there is no particular concern for closures or broader actions.' In this context, the government news agency Mizan reported that with increasing concerns about lice outbreaks in schools, some parents had cited this issue as the reason for school closures. The report indicated that lice infestations are more commonly observed in girls' schools, while boys' schools face this issue less frequently. Shahram Aryaeinejad, a dermatologist, told Mizan that the most important way to prevent the transmission of lice is the prompt treatment of infected individuals. He added, 'Lice can be transmitted through direct contact or contaminated bedding, and maintaining personal hygiene and regularly washing sheets and pillowcases with hot water and ironing them are effective preventive measures.' Meanwhile, Kiana Farahi, another dermatologist, told the government media Mizan that 'lice can be seen across all cultural, social, and economic levels, and controlling it is possible by adhering to hygiene principles.' She also claimed that 'some cases of lice infestations have been reported as a result of travel to specific areas, including some European and Central Asian countries,' but did not provide details on the source of this report. Despite parental concerns, widespread lice outbreaks in girls' or boys' schools have not been confirmed by official sources, and the Ministry of Health has assured that this infestation is controllable. The low quality of schools, overcrowded classrooms, and the mandatory dress code for girls, which has been reported multiple times, are among the factors that could facilitate the spread of infestations such as lice.
Some Families Blame 'Lice' for School Closures; Health Ministry Denies Claims
Some families in Iran are attributing school closures to lice infestations, but the Ministry of Health has denied these claims, stating that such infestations are common and controllable. The issue has raised concerns among parents, particularly regarding its prevalence in girls' schools.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
Families in Iran have expressed concerns that lice infestations are causing school closures, but the Ministry of Health has denied these claims, stating that such infestations are common and manageable. The issue has particularly raised alarms among parents of schoolchildren, especially in girls' schools.
- The Ministry of Health asserts that lice infestations are controllable and not a reason for school closures.
- Lice are more frequently reported in elementary and middle schools, particularly among girls.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
Lice infestations are common in schools, particularly during the school year, and can be exacerbated by overcrowded classrooms and hygiene issues. The response to such health concerns is critical for maintaining public trust in government institutions.
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
Translated from the original and edited for English readers. View original source →
Translation confidence: 85%