November 4, 2011

Tuberculosis identified in person who traveled by Greyhound bus

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.

August 8, 2011

Diarrhetic Shellfish Poisoning

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:

• CFIA Health Hazard Alert on recalled mussels
• Diarrhetic Shellfish Poisonin

July 5, 2011

E. coli OUTBREAKS IN EUROPE

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.

June 6, 2011

E. coli OUTBREAK IN GERMANY

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.

May 24, 2011

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

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.

May 18, 2011

STATUS OF RADIOLOGICAL ACTIVITY IN JAPAN AND Q&A

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