The Thunder Bay District Health Unit is now recommending that clients of two Thunder Bay colon-cleansing services be tested for hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV.
The advisory issued Tuesday follows an investigation conducted by public health inspectors at Natural Health and Chiropractic on Victoria Avenue and at the Colon Therapy Clinic on Park Avenue.
Inspectors determined that people who had their colons cleansed at those locations may have been exposed to improperly cleaned instruments.
In a news release, the health unit said "these clients may be at risk for a variety of bloodborne, sexually-transmitted and enteric infections."
In an interview with tbnewswatch.com, Environmental Health Manager Lee Sieswerda cautioned that while the overall risk of infection from improperly cleaned instruments is low, "the diseases that could potentially be transmitted are so significant that I don't think anyone would want to take even a small risk" by not being tested.
As of Tuesday, health unit officials were not aware of any cases of infection directly related to the two premises.
The investigation, initiated in January following a complaint from the public, initially resulted in the health unit ordering the temporary shutdown of both services. The statement Tuesday noted that management at both locations is cooperating with the health unit "and working towards compliance with infection control requirements so they can resume client services safely."
Health unit staff are attempting to contact clients of the services, but the announcement disclosed that "client records are incomplete."
It went on:
If you have ever had a colon cleanse at either of these locations, we recommend that you contact your health care provider about testing for hepatitis B, hepatitis C, HIV, or other infections. Clients can download a letter to bring to their health care provider by visiting Thunder Bay Colon Cleansing Services IPAC Lapse 2018. If you do not have a regular health care provider, the letter can be brought to a walk-in clinic. This webpage also contains more information about hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV and has other helpful resources.
If you wish to speak with a public health inspector, please call (807) 625-5900.
