CHATSWORTH, Calif. – The third performer to test positive for HIV in as many weeks does not appear to have contracted the virus while performing in any adult film, industry health registry FSC-PASS reported late Wednesday.
Three doctors who serve on the medical advisory board for Performer Availability Screening Services have assured trade association Free Speech Coalition that all performers who worked with Performer 3 tested negative for the disease on follow-up screenings completed Sept. 6 or later. As with the cases involving performers Cameron Bay and Rod Daily, who tested positive for HIV in late August, all evidence points to private exposure to the virus, the doctors indicated.
Performer 3, who remains anonymous, has not been eligible to perform on-camera since before the Aug. 20 moratorium due to an expired health test.
Despite indications that none of the three recent HIV cases resulted from on-set exposure, FSC-PASS’ medical advisory board has recommended continuing the current production moratorium, initiated Sept. 6, in order to conduct additional investigative work.
“While the third performer’s positive test is not linked to Mr. Daily or Ms. Bay in the workplace, we’re investigating to see if there was possible personal contact and if other people who perform in the industry were exposed privately,” an FSC spokesperson said Sept. 11.
“We realize companies are struggling under the moratorium, but our first priority must be establishing the safety of the workplace for our performers,” the spokesperson continued. “This work will take at least until the end of the week and more likely into the first part of next week to complete. Once the physicians involved have established that no other performers were exposed and that there is no risk of additional exposure, they will meet again and discuss the conditions and dates for lifting the moratorium.”
In the meantime, the FSC urged industry members to maintain their composure and provide support to those directly affected by the disease outbreak.
“As an industry, we should give what support we can to Ms. Bay, Mr. Daily and the third affected performer,” the FSC spokesperson said. “No matter how [HIV] was contracted, they are members of our community and deserve our compassion and respect for coming forward and helping to identify anyone [else] who might have been exposed.”
The allegation that a fourth performer has tested positive for HIV, made Sept. 9 by AIDS Healthcare Foundation, remains unconfirmed.
