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.

Measles is a serious and highly contagious disease that 60 years ago could be expected to infect tens of thousands of people each year. In 1998, thanks to consistent childhood vaccine campaigns, Canada eliminated the transmission of measles entirely. During the COVID-19 pandemic, many routine vaccinations—including measles—were delayed or missed. Now is a good time to check your immunization records and catch up on any missing vaccines. 

Beige powder sold as Fentanyl tested positive for high concentrations of a new synthetic cannabinoid in combination with a fentanyl analogue and a long-acting benzodiazepine.

Source

Fraser Health Authority

“Preparedness is not a luxury. It’s a necessity.” That’s the message Interior Health’s (IH) Health Emergency Management BC (HEMBC) team wants to get across to our communities as British Columbia emergency agencies prepare for another unpredictable wildfire season. And, with temperatures warming up, now is the time to review your emergency plan and take stock of your emergency kit, so you’re prepared.

Blueish/ greenish granules sold as Down in Coquitlam tested positive for high levels of xylazine (Tranq) in combination with nifoxipam (benzodiazepine analog) and fentanyl.

Did you know that 96 per cent of Canadian adults have had one or more cavities and that cavities are the most common non-communicable disease in adults and children worldwide?
As Oral Health Month draws to a close, a new report by Fraser Health’s chief medical health officer utilizes public health data to raise awareness of the effects of oral health on the lives of people in the Fraser Health region.

Ministry of Health

More people living in rural, remote and First Nations communities will benefit from free ferry service when travelling for non-emergency medical specialist appointments through an expansion to the Travel Assistance Program (TAP).

B.C. Ministry of Health

Josie Osborne, Minister of Health, has released the following statement on the holiday season:

B.C. Ministry of Health

People living in Kamloops and surrounding communities will benefit from more access to team-based care with the opening of the new North Shore Urgent and Primary Care Centre (UPCC).

B.C. Ministry of Health

Josie Osborne, Minister of Health, has released the following statement regarding the BC Coroners Service report on illicit drug toxicity deaths in October 2024:

B.C. Ministry of Health

Josie Osborne, Minister of Health, has issued the following statement in recognition of World AIDS Day and Indigenous AIDS Awareness Week:

B.C. Ministry of Health

People in Terrace and surrounding areas now have access to the new state-of-the-art Ksyen Regional Hospital, which opened Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024.

B.C. Ministry of Health

An extensive, multi-agency public-health investigation into an avian influenza case involving a B.C. teenager has identified no additional cases nor evidence of human-to-human transmission.

B.C. Ministry of Health

An individual in British Columbia has tested presumptive positive for avian influenza (also known as bird flu) caused by the H5 influenza virus, the first detection of avian influenza due to the H5 virus in a person in B.C.

B.C. Ministry of Health

Updated vaccines that protect against the latest influenza strains and COVID-19 variants circulating are available for people in B.C. to help protect families, communities and the health-care system.

B.C. Ministry of Health

People in Fort St. James will soon have enhanced access to high-quality health care as the new hospital and health centre nears substantial completion.

B.C. Ministry of Health

Last updated: August 13, 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:

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, see our 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

Fairway Market brand croissants recalled due to undeclared egg.

Canadian Food Inspection Agency

Campbell's Verve brand and Campbell's brand frozen soup recalled due to pieces of wood.

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 milk which is not declared on the label.

Canadian Food Inspection Agency

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

Canadian Food Inspection Agency

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

Canadian Food Inspection Agency

Binggrae brand Power Cap, Watermelon Flavored Ice Tube recalled due to undeclared milk.

Canadian Food Inspection Agency

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

Canadian Food Inspection Agency

Various brands of soup and sauce recalled due to pieces of wood.

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

Public Health Agency of Canada

In Canada, 10 new cases of measles and no new cases of rubella were reported in week 13, 2024.

Public Health Agency of Canada

Indigenous people’s experiences of primary health care in Canada: a qualitative systematic review; Rates of out-of-home care among children in Canada: an analysis of national administrative child welfare data; School- and intervention-related factors associated with institutionalization of health promotion interventions in elementary schools

Public Health Agency of Canada

At the national level, most indicators of influenza activity are generally decreasing and are within or below expected levels typical of this time of year.

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