At an unlicensed spa in New Mexico, the trendy procedure known as a “vampire facial” has led to HIV infections in at least three women. This marks the first time cosmetic procedures have been associated with an HIV outbreak, according to a report published in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
The investigation began when a woman tested positive for HIV after receiving a vampire facial at the spa. Further examination of the spa’s conditions revealed unwrapped syringes, unlabeled blood tubes, and reused disposable equipment. In total, five people linked to the spa have been infected with HIV.
The spa owner has since been charged with practicing medicine without a license and has been sentenced to prison. Additional cases of HIV have been linked to spa clients who received vampire facials in 2018. Health officials are still unable to determine how the infections spread at the facility.
A total of 198 spa clients have been tested for HIV between 2018 and 2023 as a result of the investigation. This case highlights the importance of identifying novel sources of HIV transmission among persons with no known risk factors. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the potential dangers of unlicensed cosmetic procedures and the need for strict regulations in the industry.
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