Possible infection risk from Hair Treatment clinic in Sydney

Possible infection risk from Hair Treatment clinic in Sydney

The New Zealand Ministry of Health has been notified by the Australian authorities that an assessment of a private hair treatment and replacement clinic in Sydney found evidence of poor infection control practices, including problems with the cleaning and sterilisation of surgical instruments and equipment.

Individuals who underwent the cosmetic hair treatment and replacement at the clinic could therefore possibly be at risk of blood borne infection.

The warning concerns individuals treated at the clinic of Dr Angela Campbell in Macquarie Street, Sydney between December 2010 and February 2013.

Health authorities in New South Wales advise that while the overall risk is very low, patients of the practice during that time could have been exposed to a blood borne infection such as hepatitis C, hepatitis B or human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) because of the poor infection control practices.

As a precaution the New Zealand Ministry of Health recommends that individuals who attended the clinic between December 2010 and February 2013 contact Healthline free on 0800 611 116 for advice and assistance in contacting the Australian Public Health Unit involved in tracing patients of the clinic.

Information about hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV infections can be found here:

http://www.health.govt.nz/your-health/conditions-and-treatments/diseases-and-illnesses/hepatitis-b

http://www.health.govt.nz/your-health/conditions-and-treatments/diseases-and-illnesses/hepatitis-c

http://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/diseases-and-conditions/hiv-and-aids/hiv-aids-questions-and-answers

The Ministry of Health will remain in contact with the Australian authorities and will provide updates as necessary.

Please attribute any comments to Director of Public Health Dr Darren Hunt.

ENDS

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