New Hepatitis A case involving Buffalo City Mission has "higher chance of transmission"

Erie County officials have announced another case of Hepatitis A exposure -- this time at the Buffalo City Mission. 

County officials say they were alerted to the Hepatitis A case on February 6th. A homeless man with the virus may have exposed other individuals who were at the Buffalo City Mission between January 24th and February 4th.

The infected man did not handle food at the City Mission, and is currently being kept for safety purposes to avoid further contamination according to the County. 

City Mission informed staff immediately after they learned of the hepatitis case @WKBW

— Jeff Slawson (@Jeffslawson) February 8, 2018

County Executive Mark Poloncarz says this incident has a "higher chance of transmission" as the homeless population is much more likely to transmit virus'. There is currently no estimate on how many people may have been affected, but the County says they are prepared for "hundreds." According to the City Mission, there are almost 6,000 homeless people in Buffalo.

There will be an immunization clinic tomorrow, February 9th at the City Mission between 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. for concerned visitors to get tested. The Erie County Department of Health encourages those who plan to receive a vaccination to either bring their driver's license, or preregister at www.erie.gov. 

This Hep-A case is not related to Tuesday's announcement about Hep-A at Al-E-Oop in Lancaster and the Brookdale Williamsville Senior Living Community.

Wednesday's Hep-A clinic had 272 total patients.