48.—(1) Where a F107[medical officer of health] becomes aware that a child residing in F107[the area or district for which he acts] is verminous, he may serve in the prescribed manner, notice on the parent of the child prohibiting the attendance of the child at any school until such F107[medical officer of health] gives a certificate (for which no charge shall be made) that the child is fit to attend school.

(2) Where a notice under subsection (1) of this section is served on a parent of a child and such parent sends the child to any school or permits the child to attend any school during the period between the service of the notice and the giving of the certificate referred to in the said subsection such parent shall be guilty of an offence under this section and shall be liable on summary conviction thereof to a fine not exceeding five pounds.