FACT: You cannot get HIV from eating fish

THE Department of Agriculture–Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources debunked circulating social media which warned the public against eating fish that may be infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

“There has been false information circulating on social media which prohibits the general public from eating fish, following an alleged dumping of medical wastes at sea, specifically a tube from a hospital with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV),”” the DA-BFAR said.

The DA-BFAR said they “strongly counter this claim, as the information is not true.”

Courtesy: AFP

“We urge everyone to stay vigilant and always verify the source of information before sharing any social media posts,” they said.

The said fish HIV is nothing new.

Courtesy: AFP

In 2019, then Health Secretary Francisco Duque III clarified that one cannot be HIV  by eating fish from supposedly contaminated waters.

Duque made this remark in response to social media posts warning the public against buying and eating fish from Visayas and Mindanao where syringes suspected of being used for HIV-AIDS treatment were thrown.

“Ang virus na sanhi ng HIV-AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) ay hindi nabubuhay sa labas ng katawan ng tao, at lalo na kung iyan ay mapupunta sa tubig na maasin at maarawan, ay hindi ito pwedeng lumipat sa isda kaya nga tinawag nating human immuno deficiency virus,” he said.