Both Erie and Niagara County Health Departments are receiving calls from concerned people and those who think they got a tattoo from John Portik III, the tattoo artist out of Niagara Falls who may have been spreading diseases such as Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, and HIV. The spokesperson for the Niagara County Health Department says they've received dozens of phone calls so far and have scheduled several people to get tested. Those in the community are concerned. "It's scary knowing that there's a guy out there not using sterilized needles... because I have a tattoo myself," one Erie County local said.

A testing clinic has been set up for Friday, May 9th at the Niagara County Health Department building in Niagara Falls, from 9:30am until 3:30pm, by appointment only.

According to the head health inspector at the Erie County Health Department, currently counties like Erie County do have a local sanitary code which involves monitoring tattoo parlors including making sure equipment is sterilized properly, necessary materials are disposed of, and customers are getting required information. Also, tattooing outside of a permitted facility is not allowed.

Niagara County Health Department officials say they continue to work with state officials to get stricter tattoo laws since Niagara County currently doesn't have local regulations similar to Erie County, but only a state sanitary code which doesn't include regular surveillance of tattoo parlors or artists, and permits aren't required. New regulations could be implemented next year.