What are superspreaders?
Being a superspreader will depend on a number of factors, including how that person’s body fights disease, the degree of contact they have with others, and the pathogen itself.
Scientists believe that superspreaders make up 20% of the population and spread over 80% of the cases of a disease.
Additionally, some superspreaders do not show symptoms and continue with their activities whilst infecting others. According to some scientists, 50% of those who get Covid-19 are asymptomatic.
Can superspreading occur in all infectious diseases?
Are head lice spread by superspreaders?
Yes. Head lice are an infectious disease and are therefore subject to the same issues as other infectious diseases. Superspreaders will carry more lice in their hair, so more of those head lice will crawl off onto others.
A recent study concluded that “severe infestations are most likely initiated by a relatively large number of lice transferred at the same moment or within relatively short time spans”.
Additionally, only children with severe infestations have the number of lice necessary for this type of transmission, therefore acting as superspreaders.
The Hairforce is a unique professional service specialising in nit and head lice removal. We frequently clear very large and often severe infestations from children’s hair.
We counsel those children and their parents to be aware that they would, without doubt, have been responsible for superspreading head lice amongst everyone they have been in contact with.
If a person has a heavy infestation, it is very important to clear it for their health and to protect those around them. By shutting down a heavy infestation they, in turn, stop spreading it.