Public Health Alerts

Public Health Alerts

Health alerts such as outbreaks, boil water advisories and product recalls can come from various trusted sources throughout British Columbia, in your local Health Authority area, and across Canada. This section of our website brings together all of these alerts in one location.

Heath authorities are responsible for providing up-to-date public health information in their communities. We have divided this section into topics with links to provincial and health authority specific information. These resources help you get access to the information and services where you live.

Dr. Bonnie Henry, British Columbia’s provincial health officer, has issued the following statement about the end of respiratory-illness season:

“Based on the most recently released data from public-health partners at the provincial and federal level, including yesterday’s respiratory-illness season update from the BC Centre for Disease Control, I am officially declaring an end to the 2025-26 respiratory-illness season in B.C.

Northern Health and First Nations Health Authority have issued a Toxic Drug Alert for Smithers. A green substance sold as “down” has been linked to sudden overdoses with prolonged sedation requiring increased amount of Naloxone.

Drug Alert - Prince George - Feb 26, 2026

Northern Health and First Nations Health Authority have issued a Toxic Drug Alert for Prince George. A green substance sold as “down” has been linked to sudden overdoses with prolonged sedation. Initial test results show high concentrations of para-fluorofentanyl (twice as strong as fentanyl

Northern Health and First Nations Health Authority have issued a Toxic Drug Alert for Prince George. A green substance sold as “down” has been linked to sudden overdoses with prolonged sedation. Initial test results show high concentrations of para-fluorofentanyl (twice as strong as fentanyl).

Expanded hours at the Tumbler Ridge Health Centre will continue into the spring, as the Health Centre becomes the central location for mental health and primary care supports, including those previously being provided at other locations in the community.

In the interior of B.C., where winter can sometimes be unforgiving, the need for warmth goes far beyond temperature. It’s about dignity, safety and belonging. For individuals who are unhoused or at risk, the cold season brings heightened vulnerability; not just to the elements, but to a range of health and emotional risks that are often invisible to the public eye.

Ministry of Health

New urgent and primary care centre opens in Cloverdale

B.C. Ministry of Health

Foundry centres expand services to Pemberton, West Kelowna, Summerland, 100 Mile House, Port McNeill

B.C. Ministry of Health

New First Nations-led centre expands access to integrated, culturally safe primary care

B.C. Ministry of Health

Northern Health launches webpage that notifies people about service interruptions

B.C. Ministry of Health

Elkford urgent and primary care centre expands primary care access

B.C. Ministry of Health

Access Central is helping more people in B.C. connect with addictions care through a single, streamlined phone service

B.C. Ministry of Health

Josie Osborne, Minister of Health, has released the following statement on the status of the decriminalization pilot program:

B.C. Ministry of Health

As part of the Cooperation and Responsible Government Accord 2025 (CARGA), the Province and BC Green Caucus are releasing the second of two reports highlighting shared findings and recommendations to strengthen primary care throughout British Columbia.

B.C. Ministry of Health

Josie Osborne, Minister of Health, has released the following statement on mental-health supports for the holiday season:

B.C. Ministry of Health

Dr. Bonnie Henry, provincial health officer, has issued the following statement on immunizations for the holiday season:

B.C. Ministry of Health

Last updated: November 14, 2025

Air quality

Air Quality Advisories may be issued in many areas of BC when there are high concentrations of fine particulate matter primarily due to smoke from wildfires burning throughout BC and Washington State. Smoke concentrations may vary widely across the region as winds, temperatures, and wildfire behaviour change. 

For information on air quality advisories, warnings when air pollution levels exceed limits and Smoky Skies Bulletin announcements regarding wildfire smoke, visit the Government of British Columbia's Air Quality Advisories.

Emergencies

For information on emergencies and natural disasters affecting the province such as floods, wildfires, and earthquakes and other emergencies that require public awareness and action, visit the EmergencyInfoBC page.

Drinking water quality and advisories

B.C.’s regional health authorities are also responsible for issuing notifications about drinking water quality. The three water notification levels range from the least to most serious and include water quality advisory, boil water advisory and a “do not use water” notice. To learn more about these advisory levels and their impact, visit the Government of British Columbia: Water quality notifications page.

For water quality notifications in your specific health authority, visit:

Food safety and inspections

Food safety and inspections in British Columbia are managed by health authorities, ensuring food is safe to eat and that food premises comply with regulatory requirements to protect public health. Learn more about provincial food safety and security on the Government of British Columbia: Food Safety & Security web page.

For your specific health authority specific information, visit:

Health authority news releases

For latest updates from your health authority, see:

Health services

The HealthLink BC Directory provides listings for health services provided by the provincial government, provincial health authorities, and non-profit agencies across the province. You can search for walk-in clinics, emergency rooms, hospitals, mental health programs, home care programs, pharmacy services, laboratory services, and more. To start searching, visit HealthLink BC Directory.

Mental health and substance use

Mental health and substance use concerns can affect many British Columbians whether they are family, neighbors or co-workers. To learn more, visit the HealthLinkBC Mental Health and Substance Use page. Services available provincially include the following:

For health authority specific services and resources, visit:

Warming centres

BC Housing supports three types of emergency shelters serving people experiencing homelessness:

  • Year-round shelters
  • Temporary shelters
  • Extreme weather response (EWR) shelters 

Visit the BC Housing shelter program fact sheet (PDF, 130KB) and learn more through BC Housing's Emergency Shelter Program. To find an emergency shelter visit the visit the shelter map.

EmergencyInfoBC will share verified cold weather event information during emergencies, including cold weather advisories and warming centres. 

You can also visit the EmergencyInfoBC live map for information on warming centres, public warming spaces, and Emergency Support Services reception centres.

For other cold weather-related resources visit the Your health this winter health feature. You can also learn more about Cold weather resources for emergency planning and response - Province of British Columbia.

Cooling centres

EmergencyInfoBC will share verified hot weather event information during emergencies, including extreme heat advisories and cooling centres. In response to extreme heat, First Nations and local governments in affected areas may open emergency cooling centres or general cooling spaces. Locations may be listed on EmergencyMapBC at the discretion of local governments. If cooling locations are not listed on the map in your area, contact your Band office or local government. See the BC Housing website for shelter information throughout BC. 

For other heat-related resources, visit the Beat the Heat and Your health this summer health features. Additional information is also available on the Government of British Columbia: Be prepared for extreme heat and drought webpage.

Canadian Food Inspection Agency

Poivre des Îles brand Salad + Seasoning recalled due to presence of insects.

Canadian Food Inspection Agency

The affected product is being recalled from the marketplace due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Canadian Food Inspection Agency

The affected products are being recalled from the marketplace due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Canadian Food Inspection Agency

Pistachio Kernel recalled due to Salmonella.

Canadian Food Inspection Agency

Soo brand Mala Spicy Flavoured Beef Jerky and Pork Jerky recalled due to mould. 

Canadian Food Inspection Agency

Fresh Start Foods brand salads recalled due to Listeria monocytogenes.

Canadian Food Inspection Agency

Arbutus Farms Kitchen/Jade Fine Foods brand and Arbutus Foods brand products with cheese recalled due to Listeria monocytogenes.

Canadian Food Inspection Agency

The affected product is being recalled from the marketplace due to possible Salmonella contamination.

Canadian Food Inspection Agency

The affected products are being recalled from the marketplace due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination. List of Sobeys banners: Atlantic: Coop, Foodland, Sobeys Ontario: Foodland, IGA, Safeway, Sobeys Western Canada: IGA, Safeway, Sobeys, Thrifty Foods

Canadian Food Inspection Agency

The affected product is being recalled from the marketplace due to possible  Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Canadian Food Inspection Agency

Public Health Agency of Canada

Read about: Updated guidance on human papillomavirus vaccines, Mycobacterium tuberculosis pseudo-outbreak, paediatric tuberculosis in First Nations communities

Public Health Agency of Canada

1 new measles case was reported by 1 jurisdiction (New Brunswick) in week 46.

Public Health Agency of Canada

The distribution of hunger in Canadian youth; Characteristics of Canadians who use vaping products, by smoking status: findings from the Canadian Community Health Survey, 2020; Perceptions of overdose response hotlines and applications among rural and remote individuals who use drugs in Canada: a qualitative study

Public Health Agency of Canada

In Canada, 30 new cases of measles and 1 new case of rubella were reported in week 45, 2024.

Public Health Agency of Canada

In Canada, no new cases of measles or rubella were reported in week 44, 2024.

Public Health Agency of Canada

In Canada, no new cases of measles or rubella were reported in week 43, 2024.

Public Health Agency of Canada

Public Health Agency of Canada

In Canada, 1 new case of measles and no new cases of rubella were reported in week 42, 2024.

Public Health Agency of Canada

Read about: Lessons learned from COVID-19, mathematical modelling for pandemic preparedness, innovative tool to prioritize assessment of COVID-19 therapeutics

Public Health Agency of Canada

In Canada, no new cases of measles or rubella were reported in week 40, 2024.

Public Health Agency of Canada