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 has issued a Toxic Drug Alert for Prince George. A pressed pill sold as oxycodone tested positive for flourofentanyl (fentanyl analogue) and bromazolam (benzo) this drug has been linked to an increase in overdoses.

Northern Health and First Nations Health Authority are issuing a drug advisory. A light purple pebble-like substance testing positive for carfentanil is possibly linked to increased overdoses and abnormal symptoms.

Brown granules sold as DOWN tested positive for Carfentanil and Fluorofentanyl.

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:

“As families start their preparations for back-to-school, I encourage parents and guardians to ensure their children are up to date on routine immunizations and are protected against illnesses, including measles, mumps and rubella, polio, pertussis (whopping cough) and chickenpox."

Northern Health and First Nations Health Authority are issuing a drug advisory. A light purple pebble-like substance testing positive for carfentanil is possibly linked to increased overdoses and abnormal symptoms.

An air quality warning due to wildfire smoke from the Mount Underwood fire has been issued August 18.

Did you drink enough fluids during the recent hot weather? Fluids help to move nutrients, regulate blood pressure, cushion joints and even control your temperature. Staying hydrated can lower your risk of heat stroke and keep your body running smoothly.

Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) has issued weather alerts for several parts of the province, including the Fraser Health and Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) regions, as we experience a stretch of high temperatures.

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: 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

The affected products are being recalled from the marketplace due to possible Salmonella contamination. This recall is linked to an ongoing investigation into a foodborne illness outbreak. Please refer to the Food Safety Investigation page for further details and related recall notifications and food recall warnings.

Canadian Food Inspection Agency

The affected product is being recalled from the marketplace due to possible Salmonella contamination. This recall is linked to an ongoing investigation into a foodborne illness outbreak. Please refer to the Food Safety Investigation page for further details and related recall notifications and food recall warnings.

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 food recall warning issued on 2025-08-15 has been updated to include additional distribution information. This additional information was identified during the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s food safety investigation. The affected products are being recalled from the marketplace due to possible Salmonella contamination. This recall is linked to an ongoing investigation into a foodborne illness outbreak. Please refer to the Food Safety Investigation page for further details and related recall notifications and food recall warnings.

Canadian Food Inspection Agency

The affected products are being recalled from the marketplace due to possible Salmonella contamination. This recall is linked to an ongoing investigation into a foodborne illness outbreak. Please refer to the Food Safety Investigation page for further details and related recall notifications and food recall warnings.

Canadian Food Inspection Agency

Lactantia brand Original Cream Cheese recalled due to off odour and off taste.

Canadian Food Inspection Agency

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

Canadian Food Inspection Agency

Crown Royal Reserve brand Canadian Whisky recalled due to possible presence of glass.

Canadian Food Inspection Agency

Pistachio Shelled recalled due to Salmonella.

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

Recreational screen time and mental health among Canadian children and youth; Outdoor physical activity, mental health, life satisfaction, happiness and life stress among Canadian adolescents; Changes in chronic disease prevention resources and activities in Canada during the COVID-19 pandemic

Public Health Agency of Canada

Read about: hepatitis B and C trends in Canada, hospital-associated infections, and usage of the Foodbook survey

Public Health Agency of Canada

Trends in cannabis-attributable hospitalizations and emergency department visits from 2007 to 2020: data from the Canadian Substance Use Costs and Harms Study (2007–2020); Sex-specific estimates of positive mental health among youth before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada

Public Health Agency of Canada

Prevalence and sequence of chronic conditions in older people with dementia: a multi-province, population-based cohort study; Coping and positive mental health in Canada among youth and adults: findings from a population-based nationally representative survey

Public Health Agency of Canada

Read about: COVID-19 pandemic on trends of select travel-acquired enteric illnesses, Enhanced screening for tuberculosis infection among immigrants, Canadian National HIV Surveillance Program

Public Health Agency of Canada

Engaging in culturally responsive and antiracism research and programs for Black Canadian communities; Race-based sampling, measurement and monitoring in health data: promising practices to address racial health inequities and their determinants in Black Canadians

Public Health Agency of Canada

Read about: Statement on the prevention of respiratory syncytial virus in infants, chlamydia and gonorrhea screening recommendations, antimicrobial susceptibilities of Neisseria gonorrhoeae

Public Health Agency of Canada

123 new measles cases (105 confirmed, 18 probable) were reported by 3 jurisdictions (Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec) in week 10. As of March 21, 2025, weekly surveillance reports and monitoring maps for measles and rubella in Canada will be available in a new interactive dashboard. This will be the last RSS update from this feed.

Public Health Agency of Canada

57 new measles cases (28 confirmed, 29 probable) were reported by 2 jurisdictions (Ontario, Quebec) in week 9.

Public Health Agency of Canada

The HPCDP Journal: celebrating a decade of impact; Global prevalence of post-COVID-19 condition: a systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective evidence; With thanks to our 2024 peer reviewers

Public Health Agency of Canada