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Public Health Alerts

Health alerts such as outbreaks, boil water advisories and product recalls can come from various trusted sources throughout the Province of British Columbia, in your local Health Authority area, and right across Canada. This section of our website brings together all of these alerts in one location.

Coronavirus (COVID-19)

To learn more about the coronavirus, symptoms, how it spreads and prevention visit the Coronavirus (COVID-19) health feature.

Influenza (flu)

For information to help you and your family during the flu season, see the Influenza (Flu) section of the Public Health Alerts – In Your Area tab.

We have highlighted the most recent alerts from all regions and sources in British Columbia, to ensure you have quick access to the latest public information that may affect you and your family. For food recalls, medication and product recalls, and allergy alerts issues by Government of Canada agencies, visit the Across Canada tab. For information on air quality, forest fires, food inspections and water quality advisories, visit the In Your Area tab.

Most Recent Alerts

April 1, 2020

Joint statement on Province of B.C.'s COVID-19 response, latest updates

Adrian Dix, Minister of Health, and Dr. Bonnie Henry, B.C.'s provincial health officer, have issued the following joint statement regarding updates on the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) response in British Columbia: “We are announcing 53 new cases, for a total of 1,066 cases in British Columbia.
April 1, 2020

B.C. COVID-19 response update

The COVID-19 situation in British Columbia is continually evolving and the information below is current as of 3 p.m. on Wednesday, April 1, 2020.
March 31, 2020

Joint statement on Province of B.C.'s COVID-19 response, latest updates

Adrian Dix, Minister of Health, and Dr. Bonnie Henry, B.C.'s provincial health officer, have issued the following joint statement regarding updates on the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) response in British Columbia: “We are announcing 43 new cases, for a total of 1,013 cases in British Columbia.
March 30, 2020

B.C. COVID-19 response update

The COVID-19 situation in British Columbia is continually evolving and the information below is current as of 1:30 p.m. on Monday, March 30, 2020. Cases:
March 30, 2020

Joint statement on Province of B.C.'s COVID-19 response, latest updates

Adrian Dix, Minister of Health, and Dr. Bonnie Henry, B.C.'s provincial health officer, have issued the following joint statement regarding updates on the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) response in British Columbia: “Today, we are providing case updates for two 24-hour reporting periods: March 28 to 29, and March 29 through to midday today.
March 30, 2020

Information on Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19)

What you need to know about COVID-19
March 30, 2020

Latest case counts on novel coronavirus

A new coronavirus is causing a respiratory infection known as COVID-19 around the world and in B.C. The province is working to break the chains of transmission.
March 29, 2020

Guidance to retail food and grocery stores operating during COVID-19

As the challenges caused by the COVID-19 outbreak continue to shift, the B.C. government and Dr. Bonnie Henry, provincial health officer (PHO), are taking unprecedented measures to slow the transmission of COVID-19, including in the retail food and grocery store sector.
March 29, 2020

Do your part, stay apart

We're doing our part, now we need you to do yours. That's the message from Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH), which has seen the largest number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in British Columbia since the global pandemic started.
March 28, 2020

Joint statement on Province of B.C.'s COVID-19 response, latest updates

Adrian Dix, Minister of Health, and Dr. Bonnie Henry, B.C.'s provincial health officer, have issued the following joint statement regarding updates on the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) response in British Columbia: “We are announcing 92 new cases of COVID-19 for a total of 884 cases in British Columbia."

The BC Centre for Disease Control and BC Ministry of Health issue province-wide public health alerts on issues that can affect the health of you and your family.

BC Centre for Disease Control

The BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) is the provincial public health centre responsible for protecting and enhancing the health of all British Columbians through communicable disease prevention. Below are the current communicable disease-related public health alerts made public by the BCCDC.

January 24, 2020

New research shows more people knowingly use fentanyl, points to importance of comprehensive response to reduce risks

November 8, 2019

50,000 overdoses reversed with naloxone kits in B.C.

​More than 50,000 kits containing the life-saving medication naloxone have been used to reverse opioid overdoses in B.C.

October 28, 2019

Mushroom poisonings on the rise in British Columbia

October 23, 2019

Get naloxone – no matter how you choose to consume

October 16, 2019

HPV immunization program cuts pre-cancer rates by more than half

Ministry of Health

The Ministry of Health works with health authorities, health care providers, agencies and other organizations to guide and improve the Province's health services to ensure that British Columbians are supported in their efforts to maintain and better their health. Below is the latest public health-related news released by the Ministry of Health.

April 1, 2020

Joint statement on Province of B.C.'s COVID-19 response, latest updates

Adrian Dix, Minister of Health, and Dr. Bonnie Henry, B.C.'s provincial health officer, have issued the following joint statement regarding updates on the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) response in British Columbia:

April 1, 2020

Province supporting people with relief on power bills during COVID-19

The Government of British Columbia and BC Hydro are helping people, small businesses and industries most impacted by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

March 31, 2020

B.C. COVID-19 response update

The COVID-19 situation in British Columbia is continually evolving and the information below is current as of 3 p.m. on Tuesday, March 31, 2020.

March 31, 2020

Joint statement on Province of B.C.'s COVID-19 response, latest updates

Adrian Dix, Minister of Health, and Dr. Bonnie Henry, B.C.'s provincial health officer, have issued the following joint statement regarding updates on the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) response in British Columbia:

March 31, 2020

Province helps essential service workers find child care

To support parents who are essential service workers during the response to novel coronavirus (COVID-19), the Province is launching a new process.


Each of the health authorities in the Province are responsible for providing current public health information to the people who live in that region. We have divided this section into topics with links to provincial and health authority specific information. These links will help you access the information that affects the community you live in.

Air Quality

Drinking Water Quality and Advisories

Food Safety and Inspections

Influenza

Issues such as food recalls, medication and product recalls, and allergy alerts can affect more than one province in Canada. Here we have provided quick access to public health alerts made public by the Public Health Agency of Canada, Healthy Canadians and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.

Canadian Food Inspection Agency

In Canada, most food recalls are coordinated by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA). Depending on the level of risk, the CFIA will issue a warning to the public. Below are the latest recalls issued by the CFIA.

March 30, 2020

Food Recall Warning - Allergen (milk) - No brand and Goraesa (Korean characters only) brand fish cakes

Distribution - Ontario. Recalling firm - Lemond Food Corp.

March 25, 2020

Food Recall Warning (Listeria monocytogenes) – Fromagerie Blackburn brand Le Napoléon – Firm Cheese

Distribution – Quebec. Recalling firm – Fromagerie Blackburn

March 23, 2020

Food Recall Warning (Listeria) - Golden Mushroom brand Enoki Mushroom

Distribution - Ontario, Quebec, Possibly National. Recalling firm - Goldenway International Trade Co. Ltd.

March 22, 2020

Food Recall Warning - Allergen (milk) - Dadi Dang brand Pork Spring Roll

Distribution - Alberta. Recalling firm - Dadi Dang K.

March 19, 2020

Food Recall Warning - Allergen (Crustacean/Shellfish, Fish, Milk, Wheat) – Thrifty Kitchens brand Beef Meets Barley Beef & Barley Soup

Distribution – British Columbia. Recalling firm – Sobeys Inc.

Healthy Canadians

Healthy Canadians is a Government of Canada initiative that aims to keep you informed about issues related to health and safety. It is a joint initiative between Health Canada, the Public Health Agency of Canada, Transport Canada, Public Safety Canada, and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. Healthy Canadians provides information about recalls and alerts for health products, consumer products, food, and vehicles. Below are the latest recalls and alerts provided by Healthy Canadians.

March 31, 2020

Various two-piece children's sleepwear sets by Sporting Life brand recalled due to flammability hazard

The products fail to meet the flammability requirements for children's sleepwear, posing a risk to children.

March 30, 2020

Certain Lots of Taro-Zoledronic acid injection drug, used for osteoporosis and Paget's disease, recalled due to potential presence of particulate matter

Health Canada is advising Canadians that Taro Pharmaceuticals Inc. is recalling five lots of Taro-Zoledronic acid injection 5mg/100mL (DIN 02415100) because of the potential presence of particulate matter in the drug. Zoledronic acid is used to treat and prevent osteoporosis, as well as to treat Paget’s disease (i.e., a condition that causes bone deformities).

March 30, 2020

Methadone Treatment of Opioid Dependence and Potential Differences in Product Effect

March 29, 2020

Stockpiling drugs can lead to local shortages: Canadians urged not to buy more medication than usual during the COVID-19 pandemic

OTTAWA – Health Canada understands the stress caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and recognizes that Canadians may be concerned about not being able to get medications they rely on for themselves and their loved ones.

March 26, 2020

Homestar Finch three-drawer dresser recalled due to tip-over hazard

The recalled dressers may tip over if not securely anchored to the wall, posing a tip-over and entrapment hazard that can result in serious injury or death to children.

Public Health Agency of Canada

The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) helps to protect the health and safety of all Canadians. Its activities focus on preventing chronic diseases, preventing injuries, and responding to public health emergencies and infectious disease outbreaks. Below are the latest health updates provided by the Public Health Agency of Canada.

March 27, 2020

FluWatch report: March 15 to 21, 2020 (week 12)

Influenza activity continues to be reported in all regions in Canada; however, all indicators of influenza activity decreased compared to the previous week. Material on this Web site was produced and/or compiled by the Public Health Agency of Canada for the purpose of providing Canadians with direct access to information about the Government of Canada.

March 26, 2020

Respiratory Virus Report, Week 12 - ending March 21, 2020

The Respiratory Virus Detection Surveillance System collects data from select laboratories across Canada on the number of tests performed and the number of tests positive for influenza and other respiratory viruses. Data are reported on a weekly basis year-round to the Centre for Immunization and Respiratory Infectious Diseases (CIRID), Public Health Agency of Canada. These data are also summarized in the weekly FluWatch report. Material on this Web site was produced and/or compiled by the Public Health Agency of Canada for the purpose of providing Canadians with direct access to information about the Government of Canada.

March 26, 2020

Health Product InfoWatch, March 2020

Product monograph updates: Kyprolis, Notice of maket authorization with conditions: Rozlytrek Material on this Web site was produced and/or compiled by the Public Health Agency of Canada for the purpose of providing Canadians with direct access to information about the Government of Canada.

March 26, 2020

Measles & Rubella Weekly Monitoring Report – Week 11: March 8 to March 14, 2020

In Canada, no new cases of measles or rubella were reported in week 11, 2020. Material on this Web site was produced and/or compiled by the Public Health Agency of Canada for the purpose of providing Canadians with direct access to information about the Government of Canada.

March 20, 2020

FluWatch report: March 8 to 14, 2020 (week 11)

Influenza activity continues to be reported in all regions in Canada; however, almost all indicators of influenza activity continued to decrease compared to the previous week. Material on this Web site was produced and/or compiled by the Public Health Agency of Canada for the purpose of providing Canadians with direct access to information about the Government of Canada.

Is it an emergency?

If you or someone in your care has chest pains, difficulty breathing, or severe bleeding, it could be a life-threatening emergency. Call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number immediately.
If you are concerned about a possible poisoning or exposure to a toxic substance, call Poison Control now at 1-800-567-8911.

Thanks to our partners and endorsers:

Northern HealthBritish Columbia College of Family PhysiciansProvincial Health Services AuthorityVancouver Coastal HealthBritish Columbia Medical Association: Doctors of BCIsland HealthCollege of Pharmacists of British ColumbiaCollege of Physicians and Surgeons of British ColumbiaFraser Health AuthorityCollege of Dietitians of British ColumbiaInterior HealthCollege of Dental Surgeons of British ColumbiaBC Centre for Disease Control