People in Kazakhstan have reported symptoms of a virus they say resembles COVID-19, prompting the country’s Health Ministry to clarify the current epidemiological situation.

Residents have taken to social media describing sore throats, coughing, and in some cases a loss of taste and smell, according to Nur.kz.

Health specialists, however, are urging people not to self-diagnose. According to medical officials, several respiratory viruses are currently circulating in Kazakhstan, including rhinovirus, adenovirus, parainfluenza and seasonal coronaviruses. COVID-19 cases are also being recorded.

At the same time, specialists say they have not detected signs of a new dangerous strain.

Ainagul Kuatbayeva, director of a branch of Kazakhstan’s National Centre of Public Health, said there has been no increase in viral infections among the population.

“At present, there is no increase in viral infections among the population. We are observing the usual background or seasonal incidence, and among the viruses identified by our laboratories, there are no unusual viruses.”

Health officials also note that respiratory infections can be more serious for infants under one year old, pregnant women, older people and those with chronic illnesses.

For now, the situation is seasonal rather than an outbreak of a new virus.