| OHLA Issues $5000 Citation for Unlicensed Tattooing in Lakeview |
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| Multiple agencies involved in case linked to staphylococcus infection |
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Salem, OR, March 5, 2009 - In a case involving the state Office of Disease Prevention and Epidemiology, Lake County Public Health Department and Lake County Sheriff's Office, the Oregon Health Licensing Agency (OHLA) has cited a Lakeview resident $5000 for operating a tattoo facility without a license.
On February 10, 2009, OHLA was contacted by the state Office of Disease Prevention and Epidemiology, part of the Public Health Division of the Department of Human Services, to identify an individual providing tattoo services in Lakeview, located east of Klamath Falls in Lake County.
According to OHLA Regulatory Operations staff, the individual's girlfriend had sought treatment for what was diagnosed as a staphylococcus aureus infection at Lake District Hospital. The hospital contacted Lake County Public Health, which then informed the Office of Disease Prevention and Epidemiology.
OHLA requested assistance from the Lake County Sheriff's Office to collect biological samples from the individual's residence for testing at the State Public Health Laboratory. At the residence, OHLA staff found five custom tattoo machines, approximately 30 bottles of ink, hundreds of new and used tattoo needles, and several thousand dollars worth of items allegedly stolen from the local hospital.
Officials from Lake County Public Health seized multiple items for biological testing and the Lake County Sheriff's Office seized tools, equipment and other items allegedly stolen from the hospital as part of a criminal investigation. Lab results confirmed the presence of staphylococcus aureus on some of the equipment and tattoo ink tested.
"We issued the maximum fine partly due to the presence of a three-year-old at the residence who had access to used needles, unsterilized tools and materials contaminated by biological fluids and chemicals," says OHLA Regulatory Operations Manager Tim Molloy.
The Lake County Sheriff's Office arrested the individual for tattooing without a license. Another person who remains unidentified is still at large and the investigation remains open.
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