submitted by LGLD Health Unit
The Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit previously communicated regarding an Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) Lapse associated with a body piercer. This IPAC Lapse may have led to a risk of exposure to blood-borne infections such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and to a lesser extent, HIV.
The Health Unit has now determined that the operator’s client list is not complete, and there are clients at risk of exposure who the Health Unit is not able to identify.
The Health Unit is issuing a public notice to identify any members of the public who received piercing services from Melissa Charland through Piercings by Melissa during the time period from February 25th until June 8th, whether at LUX Tattoo and Piercing or elsewhere. If you have not received a letter from the Health Unit about this situation and have received services in this timeframe, please contact the Health Unit to assess your risk and to receive recommendations for next steps. Although no infection or illness has been linked to this situation at this time, it is important for members of the public who did receive piercing services to be tested.
To contact the Health Unit, call the toll free line at 1-800660-5853 ext 2222.
The Health Unit has become aware that there may have been misleading information on social media and in phone calls made directly to clients about the Health Unit’s investigation and risk assessment. All clients who have received a letter from the Health Unit about this situation are still considered at risk of exposure, and those individuals are urged to follow the recommendations described in the letter, including speaking to a healthcare provider.
More information about the IPAC Lapse, including more details about the Health Unit’s risk assessment for this situation, can be found at www.healthunit.org under Infection Control Information. This website also includes the client information package: a client letter, a client FAQ document, a memo for healthcare providers, and a partially-completed laboratory requisition.
Please visit www.healthunit.org and click on the Infection Control Lapse tab for more information on the IPAC Lapse, and/or contact the toll free line at 1-800-660-5853 ext 2222.
