The office of the Chief Public Health Officer is issuing a public advisory to alert residents of the possible risk of an unlicensed tattoo artist in Yellowknife.
Dr. Andre Corriveau issued the advisory today after word was given to him and his office that someone may be using unsanitary equipment.
“We received word that someone maybe using their phone and social media to help increase their portfolio,” said Corriveau, over the phone. “The person in question might being using unsanitary equipment and going to homes to work on tattooing clients.”
Corriveau also issued the warning via Twitter.
“I have issued an advisory in Yellowknife to alert residents about potential use of unsanitary tattoo equipment and risk of bloodborne infections. ow.ly/RiBP30hVMxY”
I have issued an advisory in Yellowknife to alert residents about potential use of unsanitary tattoo equipment and risk of bloodborne infections. https://t.co/U8Y1LLtGmH
— Kami Kandola (@NWT_CPHO) January 22, 2018
Corriveau stressed that people being tattoo’d under unlicensed and unsanitary conditions run the risk of transmitting skin infections and bloodborne systemic infections such as HIV, Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis C.
As it stands, only one licensed tattoo/piercing shop is on Yellowknife’s health records. That would be Harley’s Hardrock Shirt Shack. We have reached out to the store for comment.
