Department of Health Still Seeking Albuquerque Spa Customers for Testing

Category: Non-Local News Releases Non-Local News Releases
Published: 21 September 2018 21 September 2018

Clients encouraged to call or text to make an appointment

SANTA FE, NM – The New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) continues reaching out to clients of Albuquerque’s VIP Spa, located in downtown Albuquerque at 809 Tijeras Avenue NW, Suite B, to provide information about and to test for possible blood-borne infections. 

An inspection of the business by the NMDOH and the New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department, Barbers and Cosmetologists Board on September 7 identified practices that could potentially spread blood-borne infections such as HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C to clients. The VIP Spa closed after receiving a cease and desist letter from the Board.  

Within the first week after this notice, over 100 persons came to the Midtown Public Health Office in Albuquerque to access free, private and confidential testing. Still, NMDOH hopes to reach all VIP Spa clients will use this free resource as soon as possible.

VIP Spa provided injection-related services ranging from Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) injections known as “vampire facials” to Botox. The Department of Health wants to reach all VIP Spa customers, particularly anyone who received a vampire facial or other injection related service at the VIP Spa in May or June of this year.

“While many VIP Spa clients have been tested – and passed the word on to friends and family – NMDOH wants to ensure that these free and confidential services are used by every spa customer who received an injection-related service,” said Department of Health Cabinet Secretary Lynn Gallagher. “While many clients were likely not exposed to any blood-borne infections, it’s still very important they get tested as a precautionary measure. Our goal is to provide testing and counseling and to stop the potential spread of disease.”

For VIP Spa customers in Albuquerque, testing is available every day Monday through Friday from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm at the Midtown Public Health Officer, 2400 Wellesley Ave NE, near the corner of Menaul and Carlisle. Clients of VIP Spa can call or text (505) 670-8615 with questions or to make an appointment. Clients of VIP Spa also can drop by during regular hours without an appointment. For questions on after hours, on weekends and evenings, please call (505) 827-0006. 

It’s important to remember testing is important for everyone, including those who have not received these services at VIP Spa. NMDOH and its community partners offer free, rapid HIV and hepatitis C testing to persons at risk. Rapid testing gives you the results during the same visit to a clinic or community site. There are effective treatments for many blood-borne infections. Anyone in New Mexico can find a location nearest them by visiting here. 

Content on the Beat

WARNING: All articles and photos with a byline or photo credit are copyrighted to the author or photographer. You may not use any information found within the articles without asking permission AND giving attribution to the source. Photos can be requested and may incur a nominal fee for use personally or commercially.

Disclaimer: If you find errors in articles not written by the Beat team but sent to us from other content providers, please contact the writer, not the Beat. For example, obituaries are always provided by the funeral home or a family member. We can fix errors, but please give details on where the error is so we can find it. News releases from government and non-profit entities are posted generally without change, except for legal notices, which incur a small charge.

NOTE: If an article does not have a byline, it was written by someone not affiliated with the Beat and then sent to the Beat for posting.

Images: We have received complaints about large images blocking parts of other articles. If you encounter this problem, click on the title of the article you want to read and it will take you to that article's page, which shows only that article without any intruders. 

New Columnists: The Beat continues to bring you new columnists. And check out the old faithfuls who continue to provide content.

Newsletter: If you opt in to the Join GCB Three Times Weekly Updates option above this to the right, you will be subscribed to email notifications with links to recently posted articles.

Submitting to the Beat

Those new to providing news releases to the Beat are asked to please check out submission guidelines at https://www.grantcountybeat.com/about/submissions. They are for your information to make life easier on the readers, as well as for the editor.

Advertising: Don't forget to tell advertisers that you saw their ads on the Beat.

Classifieds: We have changed Classifieds to a simpler option. Check periodically to see if any new ones have popped up. Send your information to editor@grantcountybeat.com and we will post it as soon as we can. Instructions and prices are on the page.

Editor's Notes

It has come to this editor's attention that people are sending information to the Grant County Beat Facebook page. Please be aware that the editor does not regularly monitor the page. If you have items you want to send to the editor, please send them to editor@grantcountybeat.com. Thanks!

Here for YOU: Consider the Beat your DAILY newspaper for up-to-date information about Grant County. It's at your fingertips! One Click to Local News. Thanks for your support for and your readership of Grant County's online news source—www.grantcountybeat.com

Feel free to notify editor@grantcountybeat.com if you notice any technical problems on the site. Your convenience is my desire for the Beat.  The Beat totally appreciates its readers and subscribers!  

Compliance: Because you are an esteemed member of The Grant County Beat readership, be assured that we at the Beat continue to do everything we can to be in full compliance with GDPR and pertinent US law, so that the information you have chosen to give to us cannot be compromised.