>LETHBRIDGE HERALD
Local officials are advising anyone who may have had work done by an unapproved, home tattoo operation be tested for health concerns.
Anyone who received >tattoos from the Sandra Wiltzen tattoo operation are asked to contact Alberta Health Services at 403-388-6664 to arrange for confidential testing to determine whether they might have been exposed to viruses which can be spread through unsanitary tattoo procedures.
"To prevent the spread of infection from one person to another, equipment used in tattooing must be cleaned, disinfected and sterilized according to health standards," said Dr. Vivien Suttorp, South Zone Medical Officer of Health, in a news release Monday. "The Sandra Wiltzen tattoo operation did not have these proper sterilization processes in place, meaning individuals who received >tattoos through this operation may have been exposed to viruses including Hepatitis B and C, and HIV."
Alberta Health Services (AHS) officials ordered the closure of the tattoo operation, located at 501B Stafford Dr. N., on Jan. 5 and the operator was given 30 days to provide them with a complete list of client contacts. The operator failed to comply, so AHS issued a public notification through the media.
To confirm that a tattoo operation is inspected and approved, call AHS Environmental Public Health at 403-388-6690. Closure orders issued are also posted online at: http://www.albertahealthservices.ca/3150.asp (click on "South" to see those in South Zone).
Those contemplating getting a tattoo should ask the operator for a copy of their most recent health inspection report. >
For general health information about tattoos, call >Health Link Alberta at 1-866-408-LINK (5465). >