Posted By: ABQ RAW Staff
Posted On: 07/06/2023 @12:50PM
Albuquerque –
Health officials with the New Mexico Department of Health (NM DOH) are urging former clients of the Beauty Salon and Spa (VIP Spa) to get retested for HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C. The spa, which was located at 809 Tijeras Avenue, NW Suite B, closed in 2018, after an inspection found unsafe practices that could lead to the spread of blood-borne infections. More than 100 former clients were tested in 2018 and 2019 as part of the initial investigation.
In June 2022, the owner of the spa, Maria Ramos De Ruiz, pleaded guilty to five felony counts of practicing medicine without a license. In October, Maria Ramos De Ruiz was sentenced to three-and-a-half years in prison.
What to do if you were a client of VIP Spa?
* If you were a client of VIP Spa, you should get retested for HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C.
* Free and confidential testing is available at the South Valley Public Health office in Albuquerque.
* Walk-in testing events will be held on Friday, July 7, from 3 to 6:30 p.m., Saturday, July 15, from 9 a.m. to 12-noon and Tuesday, July 18, from 3 p.m. to 6:30 p.m..
* You can also call the DOH at (505) 479-2164 for more information.
Why you should get retested?
Even if you previously had a negative test, you should get retested if you were a client of VIP Spa. This is because the spa was using unsafe practices that could have led to the spread of blood-borne infections. The NM DOH says on their announcement that ” 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.”
How to get tested?
Free and confidential testing is available at the South Valley Public Health office in Albuquerque at 2001 El Centro Familiar SW, off Isleta Blvd SW south of Arenal Road SW. Walk-in testing events will be held on:
- 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.
You can also call the NM DOH at (505) 479-2164 for more information. Confidential messages can be left after hours. For other HIV, STD and hepatitis testing locations please visit www.nmhivguide.org.
Don’t delay
If you were a client of VIP Spa, please get retested for HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C. Early diagnosis and treatment are essential for preventing the spread of HIV, hepatitis B or hepatitis C and for living a long and healthy life.
NM DOH – VIP Beauty Salon and Spa Announcement in English
NM DOH – VIP Beauty Salon and Spa Announcement in Spanish