The Purple Orchid Spa in Duncan, B.C. has been ordered to stop offering an unconventional, though increasingly popular spa treatment known as a ‘fish pedicure’ over concerns that it could lead to a host of potentially deadly illnesses.
Similar to a treatment quite popular in Asia and the Middle East, the spa reportedly uses live garra rufa fish – nicknamed doctor fish – to nibble dead skin from the client’s feet. The tanks containing the fish are filtered and bubbling, however the cleanliness of the treatment has been called into question.
"We know of at least 11 serious if not life-threatening illnesses that can be acquired from that type of treatment," said Dr. Richard Stanwick of the Vancouver Island Health Authority. "This ranges from strep salmonella to more exotic organisms like nocardia and microbacteria."
Dixie Simpson, owner of the Purple Orchid Spa, refutes the claim that any risk comes with this type of pedicure. Said Simpson: "There’s never been a public outbreak of any sort [yet] I had to shut down my spa effective immediately or I would be fined up to $25,000 or up to six months in jail.”
Simpson is challenging the decision by Health Canada and has started a petition with the help of her local MP.