The New Mexico Department of Health has begun contacting a former customer of the VIP Beauty Salon and Spa in Albuquerque. This follows new reports of HIV-infected cases linked to VIP spas. The only time he self-reported that he was at risk of HIV infection was a vampire facial at a spa in Albuquerque in 2018. The saloon was previously 800 blocks northwest of Tijelas Avenue. NMDOH recommends that anyone receiving injection services have a blood test. The department said customers can go to the South Valley Public Health Department for free HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C testing and counseling. NMDOH said an investigation found additional HIV infections linked to services provided at the spa. After NMDOH, the spa closed in September 2018, when the Regulatory and Licensing Department discovered practices that could spread blood-borne diseases. A VIP spa owner pleaded guilty to five felony counts of practicing medicine without a license in 2022. Over 100 spa customers were tested for blood-borne infections in 2018 and 2019. The South Valley Health Department is offering free walk-in blood tests to former spa users for three days. The first is on Friday, July 8th from 3:00pm to 6:30pm. Our office is located at 2001 El Centro Familiar SW. The remaining two dates are Saturday, July 15th from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm. Tuesday, July 18th will be the last time a former VIP Spa customer will be able to get a free, no appointment appointment. Free inspections will be conducted at the office from 3:00 pm to 6:30 pm.
The New Mexico Department of Health has initiated contact with a former customer of a spa VIP beauty salon and spa in Albuquerque.
This follows new reports of HIV cases associated with VIP spas. The only time he self-reported that he was at risk for HIV was a vampire facial at a spa in Albuquerque in 2018.
The salon was previously located on the 800 block of Tijeras Avenue NW. NMDOH recommends that anyone receiving injection services have a blood test. Customers can go to the South Valley Public Health Department for free HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C testing and counseling, the agency said.
NMDOH said its investigation found additional HIV infections linked to services provided at the spa. The spa closed in September 2018 after NMDOH, when the Department of Regulation and Licensing found practices that could spread blood-borne diseases.
In 2022, a VIP spa owner pleaded guilty to five felony counts of performing unauthorized medical procedures. More than 100 spa guests were tested for blood-borne infections in 2018 and 2019.
The South Valley Health Department is offering free walk-in blood tests to former spa users for three days. The first is on Friday, July 8th from 3:00pm to 6:30pm. Our office is located at 2001 El Centro Familiar SW.
The remaining two dates are Saturday, July 15th from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm. Tuesday, July 18th will be the last time a former VIP Spa customer will be able to get a free, no appointment appointment. Free inspections will be conducted at the office from 3:00 pm to 6:30 pm.
