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.

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.

Drop-in appointments with mental health clinicians are now available at the Tumbler Ridge Health Centre for anyone seeking support. To help ensure access, Health Centre hours have been extended for the remainder of this week. Beginning today, the health centre is open daily from 7 am to 11 pm. Updates on future hours of operation will be coming soon.

Ministry of Health

Dr. Martin Lavoie, British Columbia’s deputy provincial health officer, has issued the following statement to make sure children in B.C. are up to date on all their vaccines as part of back-to-school preparations:

B.C. Ministry of Health

First Nations people living with substance-use challenges will soon benefit from a new Tŝilhqot’in-led healing and wellness model as the Province provides $8.3 million for recovery supports.

B.C. Ministry of Health

As part of the Cooperation and Responsible Government Accord 2025, the Province and BC Green caucus have released the first of two reports outlining key findings from their assessment of B.C.’s primary care system.

B.C. Ministry of Health

The Province is broadening access to the free, publicly funded human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine and simplifying the immunization schedule, ensuring more people in B.C. have the protection they need against HPV-related cancers.

B.C. Ministry of Health

Construction has begun on a new BC Cancer centre in Kamloops that will provide people in the Thompson-Cariboo-Shuswap region with better access to cancer care closer to home. 

B.C. Ministry of Health

People in Victoria living with mental illness are benefiting from mental-health supports and a nurturing space to connect as the Province provides one-time funding of $500,000 to help strengthen the ongoing work of Connections Place and improve community safety.

B.C. Ministry of Health

People experiencing a mental-health or substance-use crisis in Kamloops now have access to more services to help them stabilize and connect to the support they need.

B.C. Ministry of Health

The Province is limiting sales of the drugs tirzepatide and dulaglutide, commonly known by the brand names Mounjaro and Trulicity, to preserve the supply for people with diabetes who really need it.

B.C. Ministry of Health

In just two months, B.C. has received almost 780 job applications from qualified health professionals across the United States, reflecting strong momentum from the Province’s co-ordinated U.S. recruitment campaign.

B.C. Ministry of Health

As of July 8, 2025, there is one active, contagious measles case and 10 patients have been hospitalized. In 2025, there have been 102 cases of measles reported across all five regional health authorities in B.C.

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

Allo simonne brand Milk Chocolate Spread recalled due to pieces of glass. 

Canadian Food Inspection Agency

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

Canadian Food Inspection Agency

The affected product is being recalled from the marketplace due to possible pathogenic E. coli contamination.

Canadian Food Inspection Agency

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

Canadian Food Inspection Agency

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

Canadian Food Inspection Agency

Blackstone brand Parmesan Ranch Seasoning recalled due to Salmonella.

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

Canadian Food Inspection Agency

Public Health Agency of Canada

In Canada, 3 new cases of measles and no new cases of rubella were reported in week 12, 2024.

Public Health Agency of Canada

In Canada, 3 new cases of measles and no new cases of rubella were reported in week 12, 2024.

Public Health Agency of Canada

In week 13 (week ending March 30, 2024) in Canada, participating RVDSS laboratories reported 1,438 detections of SARS-CoV-2 from 29,526 tests (4.9% positive). Among non-SARS-CoV-2 respiratory viruses, where test volumes are lower (range of 7,176 to 27,703 tests), activity of influenza is highest.

Public Health Agency of Canada

In week 12, the percentage of tests positive for influenza was 8.9% and a total of 2,448 laboratory detections (897 influenza A and 1,551 influenza B) were reported.

Public Health Agency of Canada

In Canada, 10 new cases of measles and no new cases of rubella were reported in week 11, 2024.

Public Health Agency of Canada

At the national level, most indicators of influenza activity remained similar compared to the previous week. All surveillance indicators are within or below expected levels typical of this time of year.

Public Health Agency of Canada