Porn industry goes viral

Reports of four recent HIV infections among actors in California’s porn industry have raised fears of an outbreak.

Four actors have tested positive for HIV since Aug. 21, when a 29-year-old female actor who goes by the screen name Cameron Bay (pictured) publicly announced she was infected, according to the UK’s Guardian newspaper. Bay’s announcement led to a week-long suspension of filming as other performers were tested; on Sept. 3, shortly after the moratorium was lifted, a male performer with the screen name Rod Daily also announced he was infected.

The moratorium was reinstated on Sept. 6, as a third performer tested positive. On Sept. 9, a fourth performer reportedly told the Los Angeles-based AIDS Healthcare Foundation he had contracted the virus.

The Free Speech Coalition, a porn-industry trade group, said the reports of a fourth infection were false and intended to further the foundation’s agenda of passing a statewide law that would require porn actors to use condoms while performing, according to ABC News.