The temporary shutdown of California-based porn companies continued Thursday after an adult film star tested positive for HIV earlier this week.
Hustler Video and Digital Playground announced Thursday they were suspending production, joining Vivid Entertainment and Wicked Pictures — two large adult film production companies — who suspended production Tuesday following news of the infection.
The performer, whose identity or gender was not disclosed, tested positive at the Adult Industry Medical (AIM) clinic, in Sherman Oaks, which is used by those in the porn industry, the Los Angeles Times reported.
“We do have a confirmed adult-industry performer who tested positive for HIV,” Jennifer Miller, a HIV/STD counselor at the clinic, said.
“We are quarantining and testing all exposed partners to the individual who tested positive for HIV,” she added.
Officials for the film production companies said they were suspending operations as a precaution.
“We have no plans to begin additional production until we get a better overview of the current situation,” Rob Smith, Hustler’s video director of operations, said in a statement Thursday.
Wicked Pictures officials said that although they require actors to use condoms they had postponed two productions, the Times reported.
In 2009, an adult film actress tested positive for the virus but no one else in the industry was infected.
In 2004, a temporary shutdown of U.S. production of adult movies occurred when male porn star Darren James contracted HIV.
His diagnosis sent shock waves throughout the adult entertainment industry and made worldwide headlines.
To prevent a HIV outbreak, an urgent search was initiated for potentially infected performers and three actresses were found to have contracted the virus.
James has since become an advocate for mandatory condom use in porn films but the industry argues their visibility depresses sales.
“The actors … they��re not getting the protection that they need. There should have been mandatory condoms,” James said. “Good grief, it’s like my deal, all over again. I hate that.”