Calgary 'residential tattoo operation' shut down, clients advised to be tested for HIV and hepatitis

Alberta Health Services iswarning anyone who got inked at a now-closed "residential tattoo operation" in Calgaryknown as Discount Tattoo to be tested for communicableviruses includingHepatitis B and C, and HIV.

The tattoo operator, Ryan Kinsella, ran the operation out of a home at 224 7A St. N.E., according toJudyMacDonald, medical officer of health for theCalgary zone.

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"This particular home-based tattoo operationdid not have proper sterilization or sanitation processes in place," MacDonald said in a release.

"To prevent the spread of infection from one person to another, equipment used in tattooing must be cleaned, disinfected and sterilized according to health standards."

MacDonald later elaborated during a press conference,saying clients of Discount Tattoo were being servedat a desk in acommon living area of the home that was "strewn with papers and cigarette butts."

"It was not clean," she said."It was very unsanitary."

MacDonald is advising anyone who receivedtattoos at Discount Tattoo or from Kinsella elsewhere tocallHealth Link at811to arrange for confidential virus testing.

AHS said it ordered the closure ofDiscount TattooonJan. 28 and theorder remains in effect until the operatorhas addressed all violations "and is capable of providing tattoo services in accordance with all regulations and legislation in Alberta."

"It is the responsibility of alltattoo facility operators whether residential or otherwise to ensure all regulations are met and operations are compliant," MacDonald said.

In an online ad posted Monday and titled "Tattoo artist awaiting permits,"an advertiser going by the name Ryan Kinsellasays he has been shut down by health authorities but is still offering other services.

"I didn't realize the strict rules around tattooing in this province, or failed to properly look into them," the ad states. "Alberta health has asked me to remove my previous ads. Im (sic) posting now for tattoo design and stenciling."

MacDonald said AHS first first made contact with Kinsella in November after noticing his online ads as well asdowntown posters advertising his tattoo services.

She said Kinsella told officialshe wasn't aware of the health rules surrounding tattoo shops in Alberta and agreed to stop operating.

Environmental health officials then saw his adsagain in January and decided to issue the shut-down order, MacDonald said.

"We have no idea of how many people might have used the services of this particular tattoo operator," she added.

To confirm a tattoo operation hasbeen properlyinspected, you can call AHS at403-943-2288.

You can also review closure orders issued by AHS online atwww.ahs.ca/eph.asp.

This is the fullclosure order issued by AHS: