Surgery needed after piercing infection

About 550 people who used a piercing and tattoo studio in Newport have been offered blood tests after five customers who had piercings all suffered serious skin infections.

The five all needed hospital treatment and some had reconstructive surgery, according to Dr Gill Richardson, director of public health for Aneurin Bevan University Health Board.

Letters have been sent to customers who visited the tattoo and piercing studio which traded as Blue Voodoo, Sun Tattoo Studio and Flesh Wound at two premises at Commercial Street, Newport, between May 2013 and January 2015.