HealthLink BC Health Alerts

Hepatitis A Vaccination for people who have consumed Pomeberry Blend frozen berries

April 11, 2012

The British Columbia Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) is informing the public that if they have consumed Pomeberry Blend frozen berries manufactured by Western Family in the past 14 days they may be eligible to receive a dose of hepatitis A vaccine.

Pomeberry frozen berries may contain hepatitis A

April 5, 2012

The British Columbia Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) is warning the public not to consume Pomeberry Blend frozen berries manufactured by Western Family because it may be linked to the hepatitis A virus.

Certain Moonstruck Tomme d'Or cheeses may contain Listeria

April 3, 2012

The British Columbia Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) is warning the public not to consume Tomme d'Or cheese manufactured by Moonstruck Organic Cheese located on Saltspring Island. Other types of cheeses produced by Moonstruck Organic Cheese are not affected by this advisory.

Vancouver Coastal Health Whooping cough alert

March 23, 2012

Vancouver Coastal Health has been closely monitoring whooping cough in our region. Since the number of cases has risen over the last week, we are stepping up measures to protect residents.

All pregnant women, their partners and anyone, adults or children, in contact with children 18 months or younger are encouraged to get a free whooping cough vaccine.

Fraser Health Expands Whooping Cough Outbreak Response

February 23, 2012

Fraser Health is urging all adults and youth who are in regular contact with young children, including pregnant women and their partners, to see their doctor or participating pharmacist and get the free whooping cough vaccine.

Fraser Health Expands Whooping Cough Alert to Eastern Fraser Valley

January 19, 2012

Fraser Health is asking healthcare professionals and the public in eastern Fraser Valley communities to be alert for the signs and symptoms of pertussis or whooping cough. Since August, there have been more than 80 cases of whooping cough reported in the Hope region. Recently, cases have been seen in the Agassiz-Harrison area as well.

Tuberculosis identified in person who traveled by Greyhound bus

November 4, 2011

VANCOUVER, BC - The British Columbia Centre for Disease Control is issuing a public health advisory to identify passengers who traveled on Greyhound bus #5098 on Oct. 11 and were exposed to an active case of tuberculosis.

The ill person took Greyhound bus #5098 from Vancouver at 5:45 pm, arrived in Chilliwack at 7:45 pm, left Chilliwack at 8:05 pm and arrived in Kelowna at 11:55 pm, during the infectious stage of the disease. The individual is currently receiving treatment in Kelowna.

Diarrhetic Shellfish Poisoning

August 8, 2011

BCCDC is warning the public that some BC mussels may cause diarrhea and vomiting. These mussels contain diarrhetic shellfish poisoning toxin that is not destroyed by cooking. If you have eaten BC mussels and experienced illness, please report through your local health authority.

More information:

E. coli OUTBREAKS IN EUROPE

July 5, 2011

BCCDC encourages travellers to Europe, in particular Germany and France, to follow the advice from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO).

Due to the E. coli outbreaks in Germany and France related to the consumption of sprouted seeds, people traveling to these areas should only consume sprouts that are thoroughly cooked to steaming. BC residents returning from travel to Germany, France or other international travel with severe or bloody diarrhea should see their health care provider.

E. coli OUTBREAK IN GERMANY

June 6, 2011

VANCOUVER, BC – The BC Centre for Disease Control encourages travellers to Germany to follow the advice from the Public Health Agency of Canada. BC residents returning from travel to Germany with severe or bloody diarrhea since May 1, 2011 should see their health care provider.

BCCDC ADVISES PARENTS AND CAREGIVERS TO STOP FEEDING SIMPLY THICK FORMULA TO PREMATURE INFANTS

May 24, 2011

VANCOUVER, BC – The BC Centre for Disease Control in conjunction with the Public Health Agency of Canada and US Food and Drug Administration is advising parents and caregivers to stop feeding the thickening product, Simply Thick, to premature infants who were born before 37 weeks as it may cause a life-threatening condition.

STATUS OF RADIOLOGICAL ACTIVITY IN JAPAN AND Q&A

May 18, 2011

BCCDC continues to monitor radioactive emissions from the Fukushima Reactor Complex through information provided by international organizations.

BC AIR QUALITY ADVISORIES

April 11, 2011

BRITISH COLUMBIA – Visit BC Air Quality for advisories issued in British Columbia by regional offices of the Ministry of Environment. For more information, visit your local health authority websites.

NOTHING TO FEAR FROM RADIATION IN B.C.

March 23, 2011

VICTORIA – Dr. Perry Kendall, British Columbia’s provincial health officer, issued a statement today reiterating that there are no health risks to British Columbians due to radiation from the Japanese nuclear power plants.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

March 23, 2011

About Radiation from Japanese Nuclear Power Plant

RADIATION FROM JAPAN POSES NO HEALTH RISK IN B.C.

March 14, 2011

VICTORIA - British Columbia's Provincial Health Officer Dr. Perry Kendall today issued a statement reassuring British Columbians that there is no expected health risk from radiation at the Japanese nuclear power plant.

BCCDC EXPANDS ADVISORY TO INCLUDE ALL PRODUCTS PREPARED BY JAMNATION FINE FOODS AS THEY MAY BE CONTAMINATED WITH BOTULISM

March 10, 2011

VANCOUVER – The BC Centre for Disease Control has now expanded its March 8 advisory to include all varieties of jam and jelly products prepared by Jamnation Fine Foods. Several varieties of the jam and jelly products, packaged in 120 ml-sized jars, were sold at charity booths across British Columbia in 2010, and may pose a risk for botulism, a life-threatening illness.

BCCDC ENCOURAGES BRITISH COLUMBIANS TO PROTECT THEMSELVES FROM INFLUENZA

February 1, 2011

VANCOUVER – With the flu having already hit hard in parts of eastern Canada, the BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) is encouraging British Columbians to take additional measures to protect themselves before influenza ramps up in B.C.