(505) 699-9237 Office
DOH recommends clients of VIP Spa get tested for blood-borne infections
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.
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