L.A. Unified School District Prepare Attack On Head Lice With A New Weapon; Infestation Can Cost Schools Nationwide $500 Million In Lost Funding

LOS ANGELES, Aug. 22 /PRNewswire/ -- One of the nation's largest school systems is preparing for war when school opens in September. The enemy is head lice.

This year the mangy little critters can cost schools across the country an estimated $500 million in lost funding because of school absences. But nitpickers in the Los Angeles Unified School District are armed and ready to beat back the perennial invasion.

L.A. school district nurses are armed with 700 new handheld medical devices called MagiCombs, which can destroy platoons of head lice in a matter of minutes, knocking out even the most stubborn nits (or lice eggs) that infest the heads of 10 percent of children returning to school after summer vacation.

Toting their MagiCombs, today's school nurses are making lice tremble in their tracks, pointing their MagiCombs like Dirty Harry and saying, ``Go ahead, make my day.''

``This really is the first major breakthrough we've seen in the war we're waging against head lice and the loss of school days, which can result from chronic infestations,'' said Sue Rue, communicable disease resource nurse for the L.A. school district.

Leading the charge is professional nitpicker and founder of Lice Angels, Fran Marseille, who has put L.A. school district nurses through basic training in lice fighting to prepare them for the coming invasion.

``With our children missing an average of four to five school days due to chronic infestations of head lice, it has become one of the leading causes of school absences,'' said Marseille, who travels the country educating schools, families and public health agencies on how to prevent and handle lice outbreaks. ``Studies have shown a new genetic strain of lice have become resistant to over-the-counter and prescription chemical treatments. That's why products like MagiComb have become important alternatives in fighting lice.''

MagiComb, a patented medical device with vibrating teeth, has sturdy, stainless steel teeth that will not scratch or pull hair and works on all hair types. Studies have shown MagiComb is most effective in ridding and preventing nits and lice in the hair.

Quantum, Inc., the exclusive U.S. distributor of MagiComb, has been specializing in natural remedies since 1981. Based in Eugene, Oregon, Quantum's product line includes over 45 natural remedy and personal care products. MagiComb and additional information about head lice can be found at www.magicomb.com or by calling 1-800-448-1448.

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