Posted on Machomedia: Mária Pedru of INTERLAB (general director of a diagnostics laboratory) and active industry veteran / award winning director Kovács “Kovi” István have taken the first steps to handle the issue. An immediate forum was called forth in 5th of August, where representatives of the industry have made a decision not to work or leak the story until the case will have been resolved properly.
Machomedia of course has learned of the situation right away, but we were cooperating by not releasing information to the public. Some people from the industry (who weren’t notified in time) even insisted on that publicity would be the only right solution in such cases (like the AIM website in America) and we perfectly understand their point, but this decision was not ours. We just try to do our best.
The facts:
On 2005 July 14th, a young male talent has proven HIV positive on a strict FULL test. This man has worked in hetero and homosexual films also, but the infection came from one of his “private” jobs.
In resolving the issue INTERLAB has recommended the followings:
* immediate HIV test for every actor/actress * until 2005 September 1st cease of sexual intercourse of any kind (including private ones), full stop, that is * between 2005 August 29th and 31th full test for every actor/actress again
Someone who’s got both tests negative is eligible to work.
Two endangered groups have been identified:
1st risk group: people who have made direct contact with the positive person
2nd risk group: people who have made contact with the 1st risk group
All people belonging to either of the groups have been personally called to make their tests.
According to officials the threat of getting infection by making lesbian intercourse is about one third of hetero intercourses. All who have done such activity should have their tests, officials recommended.
INTERLAB has reconciled its recommendations with two professors, namely Prof. Dr. György Berencsi, director of Johan Béla National Epidemic Centre and Prof. Dr. János Minárovits, chief of Microbiologic Research Group HIV labor.
Quarantine is over:
Based on the negative tests shooting may start from next Monday, September 5th. Hungarian porn actors are not in danger any more. Mária Pedru has confirmed that NONE of the individuals falling for the endangered group and individuals having done their tests have been proven positive.
Personal quotes from Mária Pedru:
“Thank the caress of producers and the infected person we could eliminate a lot of trouble. It was a great pleasure seeing everyone cooperate. I’d like to say a couple of things about trust. We’ve been working together [with the porn industry] for 15 years now. On my part I have always put extra emphasis to get experts work at INTERLAB who are not only experts but great people as well. This group has always wanted to provide the [porn] industry the necessary information and medical advice. This in order to secure the safest way of work while staying on real grounds at the same time. However, this is based on mutual trust: if we trust that you in the industry follow our recommendations, you can take it for granted that we will provide the best we can and will not lengthen unneccessarily the safety quarantine periods which you might have assumed.” (Because some have gotten information from other sources which says 6 weeks would be too short – ed)
Pedru continues: “I keep repeating myself: next to full tests the issued ‘Health Licences’ are important as well! The two put together provides safety. Thank to this system the overall hygiene of porn actors is significantly better than those found in bars and discos. We’ve accomplished it together.”
According to Pedru they are working on an email based information system at INTERLAB. Should anyone want, recipients will be notified in email whether infection of any kind appears in the industry. Producers, who have signed up for INTERLAB’s notification service, had always been notified via phone.