California: Suspected HIV infection on porn set sparks health alert
California public health officials have issued an alert after finding “very strong evidence” that an adult film actor became infected with HIV as a result of unprotected sex on an out-of-state film shoot.
The Associated Press reports the male actor tested positive for HIV after engaging in unprotected sex with several other male actors during two separate film shoots. He had tested negative before the shoot.
“During the second film shoot, he had symptoms of a viral infection,” the Department for Public Health said in its alert. “The actor went to a clinic and had another blood test that showed he had recently become infected with HIV.”
One actor from the second shoot has since tested positive for HIV. According to the health department, laboratory results indicate the first actor who tested positive “probably transmitted” HIV to the second.
In 2012, voters in Los Angeles County approved a measure to require condom use during sex scenes in pornographic movies, as well as the regular testing of actors for sexually transmitted infections.
In December, the 9th US Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the requirement following a challenge by the porn industry.
Several porn companies have moved shoots out of the county over the last two years in response to the regulation. The number of porn filmmakers applying for permits in LA County has declined sharply, from 485 in 2012 to 40 in 2013. Industry officials have contended the regulation is not necessary, citing their requirement that working actors be tested for sexually transmitted diseases every two weeks.
The last confirmed on-set HIV infection was in 2004. After that, the adult industry adopted the biweekly testing for a range of sexually transmitted infections.
The Los Angeles-based AIDS Healthcare Foundation campaigned for the regulation.
