Oct. 19, 2009 (United Press International) -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration says it has approved the use of the vaccine Gardasil to prevent male genital warts due to the human papillomavirus.

The FDA said it approved Gardasil (condyloma acuminata) to stop warts caused by HPV in boys and men ages 9-26 years. Genital warts are diagnosed annually in approximately 2 of every 1,000 men in the United States, the federal agency said.

The FDA previously approved Gardasil for use in girls and women ages 9-26 for the prevention of cervical, vulvar and vaginal cancer caused by HPV, as well as pre-cancerous lesions and genital warts.

HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the United States and most genital warts are caused by HPV infection.

"This vaccine is the first preventive therapy against genital warts in boys and men ages 9 through 26, and, as a result, fewer men will need to undergo treatment for genital warts," said Dr. Karen Midthun, acting director of the FDA's Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research.

Gardasil is manufactured by Merck and Company Inc. (NYSE:MRK) of Whitehouse Station, N.J.