Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — Rumors are circulating on social media about a supposedly new and dangerous virus, HKU5-CoV-2, being portrayed as a more serious threat than COVID-19.

However, according to the Committee for Sanitary and Epidemiological Wellbeing and Public Health of Uzbekistan, this information has no official confirmation and is based on reports from Chinese tabloid sources, which are not recognized as credible by either national or international institutions, including the World Health Organization.

The agency stressed that the epidemiological situation in the country remains stable and fully under control, and there is no cause for public alarm.

Citizens were also reminded that spreading false or misleading information online is unacceptable, and those who post or disseminate fake news on social media may be held legally accountable under current legislation.