Wednesday, November 11, 2015
Elgin St Thomas Public Health
ESTPH Issues Warning about Home-Based Tattoo Business in St Thomas
People who received body art, such as tattoos, at an uninspected home-based tattoo business in St. Thomas are being advised to have their blood tested. Elgin St. Thomas Public Health (ESTPH) conducted an investigation of the business after receiving information from a member of the public. The business, Lady Unlucky at 73 Fifth Avenue in St. Thomas, was ordered closed immediately.
Because the business was not inspected, ESTPH cannot be sure appropriate infection control practices were in place. Clients who received body art may be at risk of getting blood borne infections such as Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, and HIV. Though the risk of spreading blood borne infections from inadequate sterilization of tattooing equipment is considered low, these infections may go unrecognized because some people do not have symptoms.
There have been no reports of Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, or HIV transmission from equipment used at this St Thomas-based business.
Elgin St Thomas Public Health offers free confidential testing for blood borne infections Mondays and Fridays from 9am-4pm, and Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 1pm-4pm. Testing can also be arranged through your health care provider or your local health unit if you live outside of Elgin County.
Individuals are encouraged to ask service providers to provide proof of recent Public Health inspections before making an informed decision to get a tattoo, piercing, or any other invasive procedure.
For more information on how to prevent the risk of infection posed by tattooing and other personal services, visit the Health information (Infectious Diseases) section of our website or call Elgin St. Thomas Public Health at 519-631-9900 to speak with a member of our Communicable Diseases team.
Media Contact:
Jaime Fletcher, Manager of Health Protection Programs
Elgin-St Thomas Public Health
jfletcher@elginhealth.on.ca
519-631-9900 ext 1234
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