Public health officials from King County have gone to court in an attempt to stop a man diagnosed with HIV to infect future partners. The man has so far infected eight partners during the past four years.
The court order, which was issued by King County Superior Court Judge Julie Spector, places the man on a strict adherence to the "cease and desist" order issued to him by the public health office. The man, identified only with the initials AO, is required to attend counseling and all appointments for getting treatment as scheduled by public health officials.
Health officials have been setting the man for appointments to get HIV treatment in July and in August. When the man continued to "snub" his appointment notices, the latest of which were sent on September 2, the health agency filed for a court enforcement on that same day, stating that his behavior continues to threaten public health.
The man, who is living with his mother, apparently failed to attend three of his appointments that are indicated in the "cease and desist" order. According to the health agency, the last time that they have sought a cease and desist order against an individual with HIV was in 1993 which was a single and unique case.
If the man continues to ignore the court order, he could face escalating fines or worse, be placed behind bars.
The public health office denies the notion that it's placing the person's sexual behavior as a criminal act. "We are trying to protect the public's health," said director of Public Health Dr. Matthew Golden. "And we're trying to make sure that everyone gets the care they need, including the person involved in this."
AO was diagnosed with HIV in 2008. Immediately, he received counseling and education on how to prevent the further spread of the virus. He was further advised to disclose his status to a sex partner and should find ways to practice safe sex.
However, he had unprotected sex with eight individuals between January 2010 and June 2014. The records show that during this period, there were eight new people that have been added to the list of HIV-positive patients. All of them have identified AO as their sexual partner.
Despite the fact that the man's behavior continues to pose a threat to public health, officials decided to keep the man's identity from public knowledge. Court papers list his name only as "AO."
When the person's name always comes up as a sex partner for people who have been newly diagnosed to have HIV, the public health agency, under state law RCW 70.24.024, has the power to seek court enforcement when executing orders.
