Unlicensed Tattoo Artists Likely Responsible for Vermont MRSA Outbreak
Posted on October 27, 2007
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Three cases of the aggressive strain of bacteria known as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, or MRSA, have been linked to a pair of unlicensed tattooists in West Rutland, Vermont. Professionals at the Rutland Regional Medical Center notified state officials about the illegal home-based tattoo shop after diagnosing MRSA infections in three people who received tattoos from the unlicensed business on October 1, 2007.
Officials obtained a search warrant and raided the home of Michael and Tiffany Mills on Proctor Street in West Rutland on Thursday, the Burlington Free Press reported. Tattoo guns and other equipment were seized. On Friday officials recovered additional tattoo guns which had been sold to a local tattoo parlor by Michael Mills.
The three individuals who contracted MRSA are all recovering, although one was hospitalized after the infection spread to his heart, a friend of the person told authorities. Cortland Lohff, a state Health Department epidemiologist, said the equipment that may have contributed to these infections is being sent out for testing. Anyone who received a tattoo from Michael or Tiffany Mills recently should seek the advice of a physician, even if a visible infection is not present.
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