Fifth porn actor tests positive for AIDS virus in California

The nonprofit Adult Industry Medical Care Foundation said Wednesday that a fifth adult-film performer has tested HIV-positive. The announcement was the latest development in an outbreak that has halted most production in the multibillion-dollar porn industry.

The fifth case, a female, reportedly contracted HIV from a male performer who apparently acquired the virus while filming a movie in Brazil.

Previously, two other women who had worked with the actor tested HIV-positive. Some 50 performers who had worked with the initial case or with his sex partners have been on a voluntary quarantine list that prevents them from filming sex scenes until they pass two more monthly HIV tests.

The case of an infected transsexual performer, announced Tuesday, is not related to the others, the foundation said.

State Assembly member Tim Leslie (R-Roseville) has introduced legislation requiring adult-film performers to use condoms and undergo STD testing every two weeks. On Tuesday, the California Assembly Health Committee shelved the bill, saying it must undergo further study before it can be heard.