LISBON, OH -- Three cases of the skin disease MRSA have shown up this month alone. Columbiana County Health leaders tell NEWS 9 all three cases were people who had recently gotten tattoos, and they believe an unlicensed tattoo artist is responsible for the infections.

A news release from the Columbiana County Health Department says the MRSA cases have been traced back to an unlicensed and apparently unsafe tattoo artist, using the same cloth to wipe blood away from the tattoo work areas on the patients' skin. The MRSA infections all showed up in the area of the tattoos.

We've told you about MRSA before. It's a highly contatgious skin condition which shows up as a scaly rash. It can spread quickly and lead to other complications, including blood infections which can be life-threatening. The three patients were treated at East Liverpool City Hospital, and are recovering well from the infection. Michael Ruta is investigating this case for the Health Department, and says the three patients have refused to release the identity of the tattoo artist in question.

Anyone with any information or concerns on this is advised to call his family doctor or local health department.