Striking a blow to the AIDS Healthcare Foundation's cause, a California appeals court ruled that Los Angeles County cannot be forced to mandate preventative measures when it comes to the spread of sexually transmitted diseases.

AHF claims infections of HIV, gonorrhea, syphilis, chlamydia, hepatitis, genital human papillomavirus and genital herpes among porn performers are “epidemic” and sued the county, citing dereliction of duty. They say the L.A. County Department of Health failed to fulfill its responsibility to “take measures as may be necessary to prevent the spread” of known infectious or contagious diseases. The porn industry says that AHF exaggerates the problem and that mandates are unnecessary, costly and will force the adult film businesses to move operations.

AHF lost in a lower court, and moved on to the appellate court only to lose again. But they're still holding out hope.

AHF spokesman Ged Kenslea told Xbiz, “While it is unfortunate that the court found the Department of Public Health’s statutory duty to investigate and respond to outbreaks of sexually transmitted diseases in the adult film industry did not rise to the level warranting a writ of mandate, AIDS Healthcare Foundation will continue to pursue all available means to protect adult film workers in the industry.”