More than 75% New Yorkers infected with genital herpes

Melbourne, June 11 : Sex in New York could be risky now, for a new study has shown that more than a quarter of the Big Apple's adult residents are infected with the herpes virus - an incurable sexually-transmitted infection that can cause painful genital sores and can double a person's risk for HIV.

According to CBS report, the findings have prompted a new push by health workers to encourage safe sex, with free condoms on offer.

The study, conducted by the New York Health Department, has shown that 26 per cent of New York's residents have the virus that causes genital herpes, with national figure standing at 19 per cent.

During the study, New York Health officials found that infection rates in the city were higher in women than men and were also higher in the black population.

"We advise New Yorkers to protect themselves and others. Using condoms consistently will help you avoid getting or spreading genital herpes,'' the Daily Telegraph quoted Dr Julia Schillinger, Director of Surveillance for the Health Department's Bureau of STD Prevention and Control and lead author of the study, as saying.

ANI