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.

In 2025, BC Children’s Hospital emergency department recorded a 35 per cent increase in the number of visits for window or balcony fall-related injuries compared to the previous year (from 15 (2024) to 23 (2025). The province’s specialist pediatric hospital, along with partners BC Emergency Health Services and the BC Injury Research and Prevention Unit, are urging the public to take steps to reduce the risk of these often tragic incidents.

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

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

The first steps of a review of the health authorities have been completed, which included reducing administrative costs, and work is underway to improve efficiencies and redirect savings to frontline services.

B.C. Ministry of Health

The Province is completing the transition to new witnessed dosing requirements to address the diversion of prescribed alternatives, while maintaining access to the program for people who need it.

B.C. Ministry of Health

The Province is taking significant steps to ensure seniors and people with complex health needs in publicly funded care homes, and the workers who care for them, continue to have the support they need, regardless of where they live or work.

B.C. Ministry of Health

The Province is introducing proposed amendments to the Mental Health Act to strengthen and protect mental-health care in B.C. and improve supports for people who suffer from severe, overlapping mental-health and substance-use challenges.

B.C. Ministry of Health

More young people in Surrey have better access to essential mental-health and substance-use services with the opening of Foundry Surrey Central on Monday, Nov. 17, 2025.

B.C. Ministry of Health

People in B.C. are encouraged to protect themselves, their loved ones and their communities from influenza, COVID-19 and other viral respiratory illnesses, as the 2025-26 immunization campaign is underway.

B.C. Ministry of Health

People living in Duncan and surrounding communities will have increased access to team-based primary care through the new Cowichan Urgent and Primary Care Centre (UPCC).

B.C. Ministry of Health

Young people in Burns Lake and surrounding communities now have better access to vital mental-health and substance-use services with the opening of a new Foundry centre in Burns Lake.

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

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

Canadian Food Inspection Agency

The affected products are being recalled from the marketplace because they contain peanut which is not declared on the label.

Canadian Food Inspection Agency

The food recall warning issued on 2026-06-26 has been updated to include additional product information, marked by an asterisk (*). This additional information was identified during the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s food safety investigation.The affected products are being recalled from the marketplace because they contain milk which is not declared on the label.

Canadian Food Inspection Agency

Heavenly Spices brand Garlic Powder recalled due to Bacillus cereus.

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 contains peanut which is not declared on the label.

Canadian Food Inspection Agency

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

Canadian Food Inspection Agency

The affected products are being recalled from the marketplace because they contain mustard and soy which are not declared on the label.

Canadian Food Inspection Agency

The food recall warning issued on 2026-07-04 has been updated to include additional product information, marked by an asterisk (*). This additional information was identified during the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s food safety investigation.The affected products are being recalled from the marketplace because they contain milk which is improperly declared on the label.

Canadian Food Inspection Agency

Westside Sauce brand Bistro Honey Dill Sauce recalled due to undeclared mustard.

Canadian Food Inspection Agency

Public Health Agency of Canada

Read about: HPV vaccination schedules, extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae, vaccine uptake in essential non-healthcare workers

Public Health Agency of Canada

Read about: HPV vaccination schedules, extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae, vaccine uptake in essential non-healthcare workers

Public Health Agency of Canada

In week 25, the percentage of tests positive for influenza was 1.0% and a total of 160 laboratory detections (114 influenza A and 46 influenza B) were reported.

Public Health Agency of Canada

In Canada, no new cases of measles or rubella were reported in week 23, 2024.

Public Health Agency of Canada

Social prescribing in Canada: health promotion in action, 50 years after the Lalonde report; Outcomes and instruments used in social prescribing: a modified umbrella review; How does fresh food prescribing fit into the social service landscape? A qualitative study in Ontario, Canada

Public Health Agency of Canada

In Canada, 1 new case of measles and no new cases of rubella were reported in week 20, 2024.

Public Health Agency of Canada

In Canada, 6 new cases of measles and no new cases of rubella were reported in week 18, 2024.

Public Health Agency of Canada

In week 19 (week ending May 11, 2024) in Canada, percent positivity is currently highest for enterovirus/rhinovirus (10.1% positive) among respiratory viruses under surveillance.

Public Health Agency of Canada

Disparities in positive mental health of sexual and gender minority adults in Canada; Substance-related poisoning hospitalizations and homelessness in Canada: a descriptive study; Public health communication professional development opportunities and alignment with core competencies: an environmental scan and content analysis

Public Health Agency of Canada

In week 18, the percentage of tests positive for influenza was 5.2% and a total of 1,334 laboratory detections (278 influenza A and 1,056 influenza B) were reported.

Public Health Agency of Canada