SHERMAN OAKS, Calif. – Sharon Mitchell, the director of AIM, the Adult Industry Health Care Foundation, posted an announcement Monday to the clinic’s website, addressing concerns by producers within the industry that quarantined performers may still be performing in adult productions.
Mitchell also responding obliquely to accusations made by state and county health officials that AIM is being uncooperative in their attempts to investigate the recent HIV infection of a female adult performer who performed in a few scenes before she could be quarantined, exposing several other performers, and the girlfriend of one of the performers, to the virus.
Regarding rumors that one of the performers exposed last week to HIV may still be in the talent pool, Mitchell stressed that AIM has taken all actions it can to prevent such an occurence.
“It has come to our attention that Adult Industry Companies are concerned that they may be shooting someone who is on the quarantine list,” Mitchell wrote. “AIM has taken steps to insure that this does not happen. We have taken the names of all the talent who are waiting for their next test date (and not working in between), off of our website database for the time being. This way if you do not see a name of a person you wish to shoot on the site, don’t use them, or at least call our office, as there is an explanation.
“Also, at this time we are not recommending that production managers accept any copies of tests, even if it looks like an original, better to be safe than sorry and call the offices, allow us make sure it’s authentic.
“Bear in mind that everyone who has been exposed is being extremely cooperative, and patient. There are no positive tests from exposures thus far, and AIM does not expect any. It is not as easy for a man to contract HIV from a women, and at this time, we are not sure that this was indeed a work place exposure, as AIM investigates all private and industry partners. We are not recommending that anyone cancel a shoot schedule. Rumour is not Fact”
Mitchell also commented on the manner in which AIM, is cooperating with public health officials, though she did not go into detail as to the specifics of the cooperation.
“Yes, we are in cooperation with the HIV Epidemiology Department of Los Angeles,” she wrote, “as we always have been since our inception in 1998. Thank You so much for your patience, and tolerance.
The HIV Epidemiology Department of Los Angeles is a division of the LA County Department of Health, whose director, Dr. Jonathan Fielding, told the Los Angeles Times Friday, “You’d think they’d want to be a full partner in trying to prevent the spread of this disease.”
Mitchell also said AIM would probably calla press conference to address the mounting controversy by week’s end.
AIM Board of Directors will more than likely call a press conference to clear up rumors, and outrageous accusations later this week. Please keep checking this website for the facts on this issue. We have always, and will continue to have your best interest at hand. Thank you for your support,” said Mitchell.
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