Fresh HIV case halts LA porn film production

The production of pornographic films in Los Angeles has been halted after the third performer in less than a month tested positive for HIV.

The Free Speech Coalition, a trade group for the multibillion-dollar pornography industry, called for production to be suspended after it was notified about the most recent positive HIV test.

As a rule, the industry voluntarily follows the guidance of the organisation until questions about such an outbreak are resolved.

It was the second suspension of filming in less than three weeks. The first, week-long moratorium came in late August after Cameron Bay, an actress, tested positive for the virus.

Although industry executives have said the virus has not been transmitted on a film set, news of the HIV infections - the largest known outbreak in the industry since 2004 - has prompted renewed calls from activists to require condoms to be worn by pornographic performers.

Last year, Los Angeles County voters approved a ban on the production of sex films in which performers do not use condoms, though advocates for the law said it has not been strictly enforced.