9 Cases of Syphilis So Far in LA Porn Outbreak

Nine cases of syphilis have been uncovered among LA porn performers so far, after the industry shut down production when it learned an actor had been secretly harboring an infection. Five cases were reported last week, which spurred a porn trade group to call for the shutdown; now four more have been discovered. That number "will grow" as the investigation continues, says the director of the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health.

"It's not surprising in the adult film industry that we would have transmission of all sexually transmitted diseases because they're having unprotected sex, oftentimes with multiple actors," he adds. "I doubt that the rate of sexually transmitted disease is higher anywhere else." Performers have been advised to get tested and treated; within 10 days of getting a penicillin shot they can go back to work, the AP reports. (More syphilis stories.)