DOH recommends clients of VIP Spa get tested for blood-borne infections

Category: Non-Local News Releases Non-Local News Releases
Published: 05 July 2023 05 July 2023

New HIV infections with direct/indirect connection with services provided by VIP Spa  
 
ALBUQUERQUE  – The New Mexico Department of Health (DOH) is reaching out to former clients of VIP Beauty Salon and Spa (VIP Spa), previously located at: 809 Tijeras Avenue, NW Suite B, Albuquerque, N.M. to recommend that anyone who received any type of injection-related service, including a vampire facial or Botox injections at the VIP Spa, come to the  South Valley Public Health office in Albuquerque for free and confidential HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C lab testing and counseling. Former VIP Spa clients should be retested even if they previously had a negative test. 
 
“It’s very important that we spread the word and remind people who received any kind of injection-related to services provided at the VIP Spa to come in for free and confidential testing,” said Dr. Laura Parajon, deputy secretary for DOH.  



The DOH Infectious Disease Bureau received a 2023 report regarding a newly diagnosed case of HIV whose only self-reported HIV risk exposure was a vampire facial received at VIP Spa in Albuquerque, N.M. in 2018.  

Following the 2023 identification of a new HIV case associated with the VIP Spa, DOH has reopened the investigation. As of July 5, 2023, DOH has identified additional HIV infections with direct or indirect connection with services provided at the VIP Spa.    

The VIP Spa closed on September 7, 2018, after an inspection by the DOH and the New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department, Barbers and Cosmetologists Board identified practices that could potentially spread blood-borne infections, such as HIV, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C to clients. More than 100 former clients were tested in 2018 and 2019 as part of the initial investigation.  Since then, the owner of the spa pleaded guilty last June 2022 to five felony counts of practicing medicine without a license.  

NMDOH is hosting 3 walk-in free testing events for Former VIP clients.  These will be held at the South Valley Public Health office at 2001 El Centro Familiar SW off Isleta Blvd SW south of Arenal Road SW.  No appointment is needed. 

• Friday, July 7, from 3 to 6:30 p.m.   
• Saturday, July 15, from 9 a.m. to 12-noon. 
• Tuesday, July 18, from 3 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.  

All public health offices offer free HIV, hepatitis and STD testing.  Former clients of the VIP Spa can call (505) 479-2164 Monday through Friday, between 12-noon and 7 p.m. for information about testing.  People can also call 833-76-REPRO (833-767-3776) with questions between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m., 10-4 on weekends. Confidential messages can be left after hours. For other HIV, STD and hepatitis testing locations please visit www.nmhivguide.org. 

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.