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.

Northern Health and First Nations Health Authority are issuing a Toxic Drug Alert for the community of Prince George following an increase in overdose events in the community. The substance is being sold as “down” and is pink with white flecks, looking orange when crushed.

As warming weather raises the risk of climate-related emergencies, the Province is urging people throughout British Columbia to prepare for potential spring flooding, drought and wildfires.

Good oral health supports the health of our whole body. Maintaining a healthy mouth helps reduce harmful bacteria and inflammation that can enter the bloodstream and affect the entire body.

Interior Heath has issued a DRUG ALERT for Vernon and surrounding area due to crystal meth/side/methamphetamine chunks sold as crystal meth testing positive for undiluted p-fluorofentanyl.

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

Residents of Delta and surrounding communities have improved access to urgent primary care with the opening of the South Delta After Hours Urgent and Primary Care Centre (UPCC).

B.C. Ministry of Health

The Province is taking action to improve care for young people who suffer from severe, overlapping mental-health and substance-use challenges by providing guidance about how involuntary care can be provided for people younger than 19, when they are unable or unwilling to seek care themselves.

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

El Mexicano brand Agua Fresca de Horchata Instant Horchata Drink recalled due to improperly declared milk.

Canadian Food Inspection Agency

Blackstone brand Parmesan Ranch Seasoning recalled due to Salmonella.

Canadian Food Inspection Agency

The affected products are being recalled from the marketplace due to possible pathogenic E. coli contamination.

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 Salmonella contamination.

Canadian Food Inspection Agency

The affected product is being recalled from the marketplace because it contains wheat which is not declared on the label.

Canadian Food Inspection Agency

The affected product is being recalled from the marketplace because it may contain almond which is not declared on the label.

Canadian Food Inspection Agency

FreezYums! brand Freeze Dried Candy - Sour Key Gummy recalled due to pieces of metal.

Canadian Food Inspection Agency

Elite Sweets brand Carrot Cake recalled due to presence of pieces of wood. 

Canadian Food Inspection Agency

The affected product is being recalled from the marketplace because it may contain egg, gluten and milk which are not declared on the label.

Canadian Food Inspection Agency

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

In Canada, no new cases of measles or rubella were reported in week 39, 2024.

Public Health Agency of Canada

In Canada, no new cases of measles or rubella were reported in week 38, 2024.

Public Health Agency of Canada

In Canada, no new cases of measles or rubella were reported in week 37, 2024.

Public Health Agency of Canada

Read about: Estimating public health risks of infectious disease events, entomological surveillance of West Nile virus, human echinococcosis incidence in Canada

Public Health Agency of Canada

Social prescribing in Canada: linking the Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion with health care's Quintuple Aim for a collaborative approach to health; Leveraging integrated youth services for social prescribing: a case study of Youth Wellness Hubs Ontario; Social prescribing needs and priorities of older adults in Canada: a qualitative analysis

Public Health Agency of Canada

In week 34, the percentage of tests positive for influenza was 0.3% and a total of 57 laboratory detections (47 influenza A and 10 influenza B) were reported.

Public Health Agency of Canada

Read about: syphilis screening, STI education, HPV immunisation

Public Health Agency of Canada

In Canada, no new cases of measles or rubella were reported in week 32, 2024.

Public Health Agency of Canada