An epidemic of pediculosis capitis.

An epidemic due to Pediculus humanus capitis occurred in the public schools of Buffalo, New York, in the winter of 1973. A survey at one elementary school showed that 20% of whites and no blacks were infested, and a city-wide prevalence survey during the academic year September 1972 to May 1973 showed that 7.2% of all pupils were infested. An epidemiological investigation showed that sex, age, race, socioeconomic status, crowding, method of closeting garments, and family size influenced the distribution of pediculosis but that hair length apparently was not a factor. Poverty and ignorance appeared to contribute to the persistence of infestation.