Los Angeles, CA (KTLA) — The porn industry has been temporarily shut down due to a recent outbreak of syphilis, the AIDS Healthcare Foundation announced Monday.

"The shutdown that's occurring now is on a national level," said Mark McGrath, a consultant for AHF. "There's strong evidence to indicate that syphilis has started in Europe from European shoots, and now has come over to the United States, exposing our community, exposing our citizens."

The hiatus could last for weeks, according to the AHF.

The Los Angeles County Public Health Department confirmed the small cluster of positive syphilis tests to the Los Angeles Times on Friday.

Peter Kerndt, director of the county?s Sexually Transmitted Disease programs, told the Times that the department had received at least five cases in the last week, and are working to pinpoint the original source.

"Whenever there is a cluster like that it may be the tip of the iceberg," Kerndt said to the Times. "It is a concern. It is a serious health risk to workers in this industry."

Kerndt added that it was "not a surprise that from time to time this would occur" in the industry.

Between 2010 and 2011, there was an increase in syphilis cases throughout Los Angeles County, Kerndt said.

Performers are tested for syphilis every six months, but since the disease has an incubation period up to 90 days, it could go undiagnosed for up to nine months, AHF President Michael Weinstein said.

"This is the living proof that self-regulation in this industry is not going to work. This is also proof that testing is not a form of prevention," AHF President Michael Weinstein said.

Syphilis is transmitted through sex and skin-to-skin contact.

Syphilis is a bacterial STD that initially manifests itself in sores or sometimes presents no symptoms.

If the infection isn't treated immediately, people who have syphilis can go on to suffer rashes and lesions, hair loss and flu-like symptoms like muscle aches, fevers, sore throats and fatigue.

Without treatment, syphilis could last for years and go on to cause permanent damage internal organs, including the brain and heart.

If caught early, the infection is easily treated with antibiotics such as penicillin.