CHP probes beauty salon over suspected Mycobacterium abscessus infection cluster

The Centre for Health Protection is now investigating a suspected Mycobacterium abscessus infection cluster involving five customers who have received injections at a beauty salon and subsequently developed a rash, induration and abscesses later. 

The beauty salon is Gals Glam Beauty, with the Instagram account of “90s__beautygirls” or “galsglam.beauty”. 

The five women are aged between 26 and 53 and have received injection services, claiming to have slimming effects, from June to August in the salon’s two shops in Lai Chi Kok. They are located at 6/F, Hop Hing Industrial Building on Castle Peak Road, and 10/F, Block A, Alexandra Industrial Building on Wing Hong Street. 

Each treatment included four to five injections and the five developed a rash, induration and abscesses from a day to a few weeks after the injections. All five have sought medical attention and two were admitted for treatment, one of which is still hospitalized. All patients are now in stable conditions. 

Abscess samples of the two admitted patients grew a culture of Mycobacterium abscessus. 

Officers from the CHP and police conducted on-site investigations at the two shops over the past two days to investigate the professional qualifications of the staff responsible and whether the case involved possession of unregistered pharmaceutical products or unlicensed medical practices. 

Two women aged 27 and 36 were subsequently arrested by police for illegal possession of unregistered pharmaceutical products for sale or distribution and illegal possession of Part 1 poison. 

The 27-year-old has been released on bail and must report to the police next February. Police said the investigation is ongoing and they may make more arrests. 

The CHP also visited two other premises located at 4/F, Wing Hong Centre on Wing Hong Street in Lai Chi Kok, and 12/F, I Do Centre on Nathan Road in Prince Edward, for a follow-up investigation.  

“Based on information obtained in the preliminary investigation, the CHP cannot rule out the possibility of unlicensed medical practice,” it said. 

“Infection with Mycobacterium abscessus is usually caused by injections of substances contaminated with the bacterium or through invasive medical procedures employing contaminated equipment or material,” a spokesman for the Department of Health said. 

“There is very little risk of transmission from person to person.” 

The CHP called on citizens who develop symptoms like skin redness, rashes, purulent discharge or induration after receiving injections at Gals Glam Beauty to seek medical attention and call the dedicated hotline at 2125 2372.