Can pig lice transfer to humans?

[SugarSpice]

Just wondering if guinea pig lice can transfer to humans ? Or do they only live on guniea pigs?

 

[Piglet]

I don't think they can - but I'm not totally sure. When my pigs had lice, I was not affected.

 

[dagwellismypigy]

You can get lice from your pigs. Just be careful when you handle them they don't get close to your hair.

 

[Piglet]

Really? Eurgh, I didn't know.

 

[Slap Maxwell]

I am not totally sure, but it's possible it can go both ways, cavy to human and human to cavy.

 

[divine53]

Here is a link to lice information https://guinealynx.info/hairloss.html#lice
It says that they are host specific which means they only live on
guinea pigs and NOT humans.

 

[Ly&Pigs]

Actually to quote the information on gl it states:

Lice, like mites, are generally considered host specific and need a guinea pig to survive. It also says, Lice seldom leave a living host and transmission usually occurs through direct contact with another guinea pig, from contaminated bedding or utensils, or from being carried by a person who has recently handled an infested animal, transferring eggs or lice from their clothing/person to the guinea pig. Bedding materials which have not been in contact with a guinea pig, such as hay or shavings from a feed store, will not contain lice. As with mites, weakened or young individuals will suffer the most.

It does not state they are absolutely only host specific, it says they are generally considered host specific.

 

[daftscotslass]

As far as I know, you can still get bitten and get irritated by the lice, but you cannot get infested by them.

 

[SugarSpice]

Thanks , just wanted to make sure since my daughter likes to hold them . I guess i will just have to be more carefull .At lease until ,I know for sure they are all gone.