The Health Unit is putting a stop to an uninspected home-based tattoo shop.
The Thunder Bay and District Health Unit sent an order to stop to Dale Doucet last week. Health Unit officials say uninspected tattoos pose a health risk because anytime the skin is pierced bacteria and viruses can easily enter the body.
This can lead to serious health problems such as hepatitis B and C, HIV and other skin diseases.
Officials with the Health Unit also say they don’t know how many were tattooed by Doucet and are asking those people to come forward to help with the investigation.
David Williams, a medical officer with the Health Unit, says there’s no evidence of any infections spreading from the home-based operation.
“The public needs to be informed that if proper infection procedures are not in place there is always a level of risk, even if it is low,” he said in a news release issued to media Wednesday morning.
Public health inspectors are available between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. during the week and can be reached at 625-8318 or toll-free at 1-888-294-6630.
