The Department Of Health announced that more than one fourth of adult New Yorkers are infected with Herpes Simplex Virus-2, the virus that causes genital herpes. Health officials said they were worried about the situation, because the condition facilitates the spread of HIV and there is also the possibility, although rarely encountered, that the virus is transmitted to newborns. In a study, the health department said genital herpes could actually double a person’s risk for contracting HIV.

“Genital herpes alone will not cause serious problems for most people,” said Dr. Julia Schillinger, Director of Surveillance for the Health Department’s Bureau of STD Prevention and Control and lead author of the study. “But some people will have painful genital sores and the infection fosters the spread of HIV.”

The findings were published this month in the journal “Sexually Transmitted Diseases.” The city’s Health and Nutrition Examination Survey gathered data using door-to-door interviews and in-person medical exams.

While the national average of infected people is 19 percent, 26 percent of New Yorkers have genital herpes, according to the Department of Health.

The report found that the herpes rate was higher among women, black people and gay men.

The virus is sexually transmitted and its symptoms include genital ulcers or sores, but many people who have the virus do not show any symptoms. Health officials recommend a blood test in case someone is HIV positive or is at high risk of exposure to HIV, or has a sex partner with known genital herpes infection.

The health department urges the population to consistently use condoms and says that STD clinics offer free, confidential herpes testing.

In an attempt to prevent sexually transmitted diseases from spreading, The Health Department has distributed more than 48 million NYC condoms since 2007 and continues to give more than 3 million free condoms a month at various locations, such as health clinics or bars.