Health Department Finds Possible Bloodborne Pathogen Exposure at Niles Piercing Facility

medical57-32
medical57-32

The Berrien County Health Department is reaching out to anyone who has received piercings at a Niles business to let them know they may have been exposed to bloodborne pathogens. Health Officer Nicki Britten tells WSJM News Paparazzi Tattoo & Body Piercing may have exposed former customers to the blood of other customers.

“We’ve identified that there were some tools that are used in certain piercing procedures that were not being properly sterilized between clients, and so that has increased the risk of potential bloodborne pathogen transmission,” Britten said. “We’re primarily concerned about hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV.”

The Berrien County Health Department made the discovery after receiving a complaint about Paparazzi Tattoo & Body Piercing. It has since suspended the place’s operating license. Britten says those with hepatitis B, hepatitis C, or HIV may not have symptoms for many years, and that’s why it’s important for customers to get tested either by their doctor or at the health department.

“If somebody does not have a primary care provider or is uninsured and cannot seek their testing at a healthcare provider’s office, we will provide that testing to individuals associated with this facility at no cost to them.”

The Berrien County Health Department is using records from the business to track down those who have received piercings there. However, those records only got back to January of 2019. Anyone with questions should call the Berrien County Health Department. It has a hotline set up at 1-800-815-5485. Britten says the Berrien County Health Department’s advisory about Paparazzi Tattoo & Body Piercing does not affect customers who received only tattoos there.