12-year-old girl dies in Puri after severe lice infestation complications, health probe ordered

Puri/Bhubaneswar: A 12-year-old girl died at the Puri district headquarters hospital on Saturday night after developing severe complications suspected to be linked to an acute lice infestation, prompting health authorities to order a detailed probe.

The deceased was identified as Lakshmipriya Sahoo of Champagada Sahi under Balanga block. She was a Class VI student at a local school. Family members said Lakshmipriya suffered from lice infestation for the past few months. Despite several attempts for treatment, her condition did not improve.


On Friday, the minor began vomiting blood, after which she was rushed to the DHH. Doctors prescribed medicines for lice treatment and to control her vomiting. However, her condition deteriorated, and she died on Saturday night.

Lakshmipriya’s mother, Satyabhama, said that due to lice infestation, her daughter initially covered her head with a scarf while going to school. Over the last few days, a strong foul smell emanated from her scalp, forcing her to stop attending classes.

“I asked her to shave her head, but she refused,” Satyabhama said, adding that lice severely affected her scalp. Due to her thick hair, the family failed to realise the extent of infestation. “She also refused to step out due to embarrassment and discomfort,” she added.

Puri chief district medical officer (CDMO) Dr Akshay Satapathy said she could have died either due to an adverse reaction to medication used for treating lice or due to septicaemia from a severe scalp infection. “Repeated scratching can cause wounds on the scalp, which may cause infection. If not treated in time, such infections can spread and become fatal,” he said, adding that the exact cause of death can be determined only after a detailed investigation. He, however, said he was not fully aware of the specifics of the case.

Dr Chandra Sekhar Sirka, a dermatology professor at AIIMS Bhubaneswar, said secondary infection may have occurred after lice infestation.

Dr Maitreyee Panda, a senior dermatologist, said severe infection due to lice infestation can create health complications. “Mostly, secondary infection, including sepsis, may occur after severe lice infestation. There are side effects of head lice infestation, which can become serious,” she added.

A 2022 study, ‘The Darker Side of Head Lice Infestations’, published in the journal ‘Clinics in Dermatology’, reported the death of a 12-year-old girl in Georgia from an apparent cardiac arrest. The secondary cause was severe anaemia resulting from extensive head lice infestation.