Sloppy record keeping by a Mississauga tattoo and piercing parlour, combined with little public health oversight, may have put up to 3,000 people at risk of contracting HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C.
Dr. Eileen de Villa, associate medical officer of health for Peel Public Health, acknowledged yesterday that the agency inspected Moonshin Tattoo only twice in the past four years, although the province requires yearly inspections.
Customers who received tattoos or piercings from Moonshin Tattoo between March 2005 and February 2009 are being advised to get blood tests, after it was discovered the business failed to keep adequate maintenance records for its sterilization equipment. The agency is also asking customers to use condoms, avoid sharing clippers, razors, toothbrushes and needles, and postpone donating blood until the tests can rule out infection.
“The reason why we’ve issued the notice is because there is a risk, albeit a low risk. It’s a precautionary measure,” said de Villa.
