A public health alert has been issued over blood-borne virus fears for customers who received treatments at a Sydney cosmetic clinic.
NSW Health issued the alert on Thursday for clients of Fresh Cosmetic Clinic at 630 George St, Sydney.
The state health body is urging anyone who may have undergone a procedure at the clinic to be tested for blood-borne viruses due to “infection control breaches in the clinic”.
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Blood-borne viruses include hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV.
The clinic has ceased operating since the concerns were raised.
South Eastern Sydney Local Health District Public Health Unit director Dr Vicky Sheppeard said clients of the clinic who had injections or underwent any invasive procedure, including breast implants and facial or nasal line carving, should see their local GP as soon as possible and ask to be tested for blood-borne viruses.
“Blood-borne viruses can be spread between clients where injections or invasive procedures are carried out without stringent infection control,” Sheppeard said.
“People infected with blood-borne viruses may not show symptoms for many years, so it is important to be tested to see if there is silent infection.
“There are effective treatments for hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV.”
The Health Care Complaints Commission first notified SESLHD PHU of concerns relating to potential risks to public health due to practices at the Fresh Cosmetic Clinic.
SESLHD PHU inspected the clinic on October 22 and identified some of the procedures conducted there may have put clients at risk of exposure to blood-borne viruses and alerted NSW Health.
NSW Health said the clinic is no longer in operation.
NSW Health said it is continuing to work with the HCCC to consider whether any other action needs to be taken in relation to the clinic.
Clients of Fresh Cosmetic Clinic who have concerns about the care and treatment they received can contact the Health Care Complaints Commission on [email protected].
They can also contact their local public health unit on 1300 066 055 for more information on blood-borne viruses.