Health officials shut down home tattoo operation in Millsboro

DOVER, Del. – The Delaware Division of Public Health has shut down a home tattoo operation in Millsboro.

We’re told officials ordered the Millsboro man to cease tattooing activities in his home, in violation of Title 16 of the Delaware Code, on Thursday. DPH Health Systems Protection staff issued a Cease and Desist Order to Miguel Garcia of 102 Nicoles Court for conducting tattooing activities out of his residence without a required body art establishment permit.

DPH says body art activities should only be performed in permitted facilities and that private residences are not properly equipped for these activities to be performed safely.

This unregulated tattoo parlor reportedly kept no client records. As a result, DPH cannot follow the normal protocol of contacting individuals by letter to ask them to seek medical testing. They are encouraging anyone who may have received tattooing or other body art services at this location to contact their healthcare provider for evaluation for diseases such as hepatitis and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) that may have been transmitted through the equipment. You should tell the doctor about receiving a tattoo or piercing from an unregulated establishment, when it occurred, and any symptoms since the visit.

Body art establishments regulated by DPH are inspected and must meet certain requirements for sanitation, proper disposal of needles, use of gloves, and many other items. Individuals are urged to check the Public Health permit before getting any kind of body art done, which is required to be posted in an obvious location.

Delawareans served by this illegal operation can also contact the DPH Bureau of Communicable Diseases at 302-744-1050 if they have questions about possible transmission.