Published: May 07, 2008 01:47 am            

HEALTH: State issues warning about Falls tattoo artist

BUFFALO — Health officials in Niagara and Erie counties are urging clients of Niagara Falls tattoo artist John Portik to be tested for HIV and hepatitis.

Authorities say an investigation found that eight people developed skin infections after receiving tattoos from Portik.

Portik performed tattoos at his home and in clients’ homes. According to Portik, he was also employed for a short time at two former Niagara Falls tattoo studios known as Monsters Ink and Murder Ink. He also reported working in Erie County during 2004 and/or 2005 as an independent contractor for Hardcore Tattoo. Additionally, Portik performed tattoos at several home parties while associated with Hardcore Tattoo.

While no one is known to have contracted HIV or hepatitis from the tattooing, Niagara and Erie County health officials say clients should be tested for the diseases because they don’t know whether Portik took proper infection control precautions to prevent transmission of bloodborne infections, such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV.

A telephone listing for Portik was not in service Tuesday afternoon.

Portik has been ordered to stop tattooing and has surrendered his tattooing equipment.

Anyone who has gotten a tattoo from him since 2001 is being encouraged to get tested.

Clients who are seeking testing should contact their health care provider. If they do not have a health care provider or do not have health care insurance, they should call the Niagara County Health Department at 439-7470 during business hours for testing options. For information concerning this investigation, other than scheduling an appointment for testing, concerned members of the public may contact a call center at 1-800-808-1987.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

        

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