HEALTH CONCERNS
Posted By MAGGIE RIOPELLE , TRIBUNE STAFF
Posted 10 hours ago
Clients of a Welland tattoo shop open only a few months are being encouraged to call public health and their family physicians.
Niagara Region public health on Friday issued a closure order to Needlez Tattoo, located at 16 Thorold Rd. E.
The tattoo parlour owned and operated by Kaine Mackey has been open since December 2009.
The shop has been closed for “possible exposure to inadequately processed (non-sterile) instruments and equipment,” states a poster put up by public health on the business door.
“We ask all clients who received tattooing or piercing services at this location between December 2009 and March 2010 to see their physician or visit a walk-in clinic and ask for a blood test for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B and hepatitis C,” medical officer of health Dr. Robin Williams said in a news release.
Those clients of Needlez Tattoo are also urged to take precautions until evidence of transmission for infectious diseases can be ruled out. People are encouraged to use condoms during sexual activity and avoid sharing razors, clippers, toothbrushes and other personal items.
“At this point, there is no confirmed link to illnesses,” said public health’s environmental health manager Peter Jekel.
Public health has been in contact with the business owners, but “detailed and complete client information is not available,” states the media release from public health.
Jekel said typically, public health is notified when tattoo parlours are opening up shop and in this case, “there was an inspector that had gone in prior to opening.”
The business owner, he said, was informed there were a number of items outstanding that needed to be done prior to opening and was aware that public health should be notifi ed when the business opened up shop.
“Most operators open and call us prior to opening … to ensure they are following proper procedure,” said Jekel.
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Upon inspection of the business, following public complaint, Jekel said, “there was no autoclave to be seen” which is, of course, necessary to sterilize equipment.
Jekel said typically public health will inspect tattoo shops twice a year.
He said those businesses “are required to do bi-weekly spore testing and those results are sent to public health” to ensure sterilization equipment is in working order.
Asked whether the business would be able to open up shop again, Jekel said the region’s investigation is ongoing and at this point the file remains open and the business remains closed.
As for how long this investigation would take, Jekel said he couldn’t guess — it all depends on the circumstances, the results of interviews and how much information is provided and gathered.
Former clients of Needlez Tattoo can call the infectious disease program at 1-888-505- 6074 or 905-688-8248 ext. 7330 during office hours Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. After hours call 905- 984-3690.
Read the original: Tattoo shop shut down (Welland Tribune)
