Health officials in St. Thomas are urging people who got tattoos at a home-based business to get their blood tested.
The Elgin St. Thomas Public Health Unit launched an investigation into Lady Unlucky at 73 Fifth Ave. in St. Thomas after getting a tip from the public. The business was ordered closed immediately.
"Because the business was not inspected, ESTPH cannot be sure appropriate infection control practices were in place," the health unit says in a release sent out Tuesday. "Clients who received body art may be at risk of getting blood borne infections such as Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, and HIV."
The health unit says, while the risk of 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.
Anyone who recieved body art at Lady Unlucky is being advised to get tested for HIV, Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis C. Free and confidential testing is available at the Elgin St. Thomas Health Unit on Mondays and Fridays from 9am-4pm.
People considering getting tattoos are also being advised to ask tattoo shops to provide proof of public health inspections before getting inked.
