A social media post stating fish caught in the waters of Mindanao and the Visayas where medical syringes were found are said to be contaminated with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and should not be eaten to avoid infection.

The post prompted Department of Health Secretary Francisco Duque III on Wednesday to rebut the “fake news.” In a radio interview, Duque said fish don’t get infected with HIV and no one can get infected with the virus by eating fish found in dirty waters.

“The virus that causes HIV/AIDS doesn’t live outside the human body, especially if it is in contact with saltwater and is exposed to the sun. This cannot transfer to fish. That’s why it is called human immunodeficiency virus,” Duque said in a radio interview, according to PNA.

The Health chief blamed netizens who continue to share the HIV fish post on social media for sharing fake news. He appealed to them to stop spreading fear.

In case the HIV fish myth persists and consumers fear eating seafood, fishermen can copy the usual damage control effected by mussel vendors during a red tide situation to show that tahong is safe to eat — fish vendors can cook and eat fish caught in the waters strewn with syringes.