Unlicensed tattoo artist prompts health warning

Hamilton Public Health Services is advising people who received a tattoo from an unlicensed artist to seek medical attention.

Public health says the tattoos were given at a private residence at 932 King St. East or 307 Barton St. East and there is evidence that the tattooing equipment used by this artist was not cleaned and sterilized between clients.

This could put people at risk for blood-borne infections such as Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, or HIV. Public health recommends anyone who may be affected speak to their physician about the need for testing.

Public health says there is no evidence the artist was re-using needles, but there is concern that other tattoo equipment may not have been appropriately sterilized.

It adds that the risk to clients in this instance is considered to be very low. To date, public health says there have been no documented infections in Hamilton attributed to this artist.

An order under the Health Protection and Promotion Act has been issued to the artist requiring that all tattooing services be stopped until appropriate cleaning and sterilization of equipment is established.