Echiverri declares war on ‘kuto’

This summer, Caloocan Mayor Enrico Echiverri is going head to head with a problem common among children—pediculosis capitis or the lowly hair lice, more commonly known as “kuto.”

In a statement released yesterday, Echiverri announced that he was declaring an “all-out war” on “the pesky lice atop the heads of young girls.”

He said that the Caloocan health department had distributed 50 bottles of special antilice shampoos to each of the city’s health departments and urged parents to have their children treated.

According to Echiverri, the shampoos contain the active ingredient synthetic pyrethin which helps prevent the spread of head lice and reduces the risk of infection.

Aside from the shampoo, the city health department will also offer free medical consultation and a hair cut.

Echiverri cited studies which show that hair lice can affect young girls between the ages of three and 11, especially if they are always exposed to the sun.

To prevent the spread of the so-called summer menace, children should refrain from using borrowed items such as combs, headbands, hats and even pillows that belong to infected persons.

“Hair lice multiply quickly. They can lay between three and six eggs daily which will then hatch and turn into lice in seven to 10 days,” Echiverri said.

Jun Paclibar, the spokesperson of the city government, said that while there may be bigger problems than head lice, it should not be put aside since it is a health care and hygiene issue.