The Department of Health on Tuesday denied issuing a bulletin warning the public about an “upper respiratory infection” affecting China, “which maliciously uses the agency’s name,” said the DoH statement.

“The DoH would like to clarify that the message did not come from any verified platforms of the Department,” it said.

The Health department reminded the public that “any form of disease can be prevented by practicing healthy habits such as proper diet and exercise”.

“In general, respiratory disease as well as other communicable diseases can be prevented by employing our layers of protection such as sanitation, masking, distancing, good ventilation, and vaccination.”

Likewise, the public should source information only from the Health department’s legitimate sources and platforms, it said.