Public Health Alerts
Public Health Alerts
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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.
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 
January 14, 2022
In response to a gap in pediatrician availability due to an unexpected leave at Peace Arch Hospital, beginning January 28, 2022, Fraser Health is asking expectant individuals who have pre-existing plans to deliver at Peace Arch Hospital to attend Langley Memorial Hospital for their deliveries.
January 14, 2022
As of Friday, Jan. 14, 2022, 89.0% (4,436,446) of eligible people five and older in B.C. have received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine and 83.3% (4,152,386) have received their second dose.
January 13, 2022
Effective today, women who are pregnant can book a COVID-19 booster vaccine if it has been at least eight weeks since they received their second vaccine dose.
January 13, 2022
IH WIDE – Interior Health is expanding COVID-19 immunization clinic capacity throughout the region to make it easier for more people to get their booster dose as soon as they are eligible.
January 13, 2022
Omicron has overtaken Delta as the most common variant in B.C. in recent weeks so what does that mean for children? The BC Children’s Hospital experts examine the most recent mutation and the effect it’s having on children in our province, so far.
January 12, 2022
Testing if necessary but not necessarily testing. That might be the best way to summarize public health advice about testing for COVID-19 as the Omicron variant sweeps across the world.
January 8, 2022
KELOWNA / WEST KELOWNA – Residents are advised that COVID-19 rapid antigen tests are temporarily unavailable at the IH Community Collection Centres in Kelowna and West Kelowna. COVID-19 testing by appointment continues to be available. You can make an appointment online through the COVID-19 Test Booking Form 24 hours a day, or call 1-877-740-7747 for assistance between 8:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m., PST, seven days a week.
January 8, 2022
January 8 update to the below information bulletin released yesterday: The booking pause referred to is no longer required, and the additional capacity for upcoming Prince George vaccine clinics at the PG Conference & Civic Centre are available for booking in the Get Vaccinated provincial system, online and by phone. Thank you.**
January 7, 2022
The World Health Organization has warned against describing the symptoms of the COVID-19 pandemic's latest highly infectious Omicron variant as being “mild," saying the variant is killing people around the world.
Simply put, COVID-19—regardless of the variant—is not a mild illness like the common cold.
January 7, 2022
To support our ongoing COVID-19 vaccination campaign, Fraser Health is expanding or reopening mass COVID-19 immunization clinics in our region to provide people with more opportunities to book appointments for booster doses.
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.
As of Friday, Jan. 14, 2022, 89.0% (4,436,446) of eligible people five and older in B.C. have received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine and 83.3% (4,152,386) have received their second dose.
Two-spirit, transgender and gender-diverse people in British Columbia are able to change gender designations on the BC Services Card, B.C. driver’s licence, BCID card and B.C. birth certificate without the confirmation of a physician or psychologist.
As of Thursday, Jan. 13, 2022, 88.9% (4,433,294) of eligible people five and older in B.C. have received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine and 83.3% (4,150,713) have received their second dose.
Effective today, people who are pregnant can book a COVID-19 booster vaccine if it has been at least eight weeks since they received their second vaccine dose.
As of Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2022, 88.9% (4,429,847) of eligible people five and older in B.C. have received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine and 83.2% (4,148,538) have received their second dose.
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
- Air Quality Advisories
- BC Air Quality
- BC Air Quality Health Index
- Fraser Health
- Interior Health
- Island Health
- Northern Health
- Vancouver Coastal Health
- Health Canada – Air Quality
Cooling Centres
EmergencyInfoBC has a list of cooling centres that can provide protection from heat-related illness during hot summer weather.
If your local community is not listed, please call your local municipality or check their website to see where there are air conditioned cooling centres for those who need them.
COVID-19
For information about COVID-19 from your local health authority, see:
- Interior Health: Information you can trust about COVID-19
- Island Health: COVID-19
- First Nations Health Authority: COVID-19 (Novel Coronavirus)
- Fraser Health: COVID-19
- Northern Health: COVID-19 information
- Vancouver Coastal Health: COVID-19
COVID-19 Vaccination Clinics
COVID-19 Public Exposures
- First Nations Health Authority
- Fraser Health
- Interior Health
- Island Health
- Northern Health
- Vancouver Coastal Health
COVID-19 School Exposures
- Fraser Health: School exposures
- Interior Health: School exposures
- Island Health: Exposures in Schools
- Northern Health: COVID-19 school exposures
- Vancouver Coastal Health: VCH exposures in schools
Hospital Visiting Guidelines
Drinking Water Quality and Advisories
Food Safety and Inspections
Health Authority News Releases
For latest updates from your Health Authority, see:
- BC Centre for Disease Control
- BC Children's Hospital
- Fraser Health
- First Nations Health Authority
- Island Health
- Interior Health
- Northern Health
- Provincial Health Services Authority
- Vancouver Coastal Health
Influenza
- ImmunizeBC, Find an Influenza (Flu) Clinic
- First Nations Health Authority
- Fraser Health Authority
- Interior Health Authority
- Island Health Authority
- Northern Health Authority
- Vancouver Coastal Health Authority
Mental Health and Substance Use
- First Nations Health Authority: Mental Health and Wellness Support
- Fraser Health
- Interior Health: Mental Health and Substance Use Services
- Island Health: Mental Health and Substance Use Services
- Northern Health: Mental health and substance use
- Vancouver Coastal Health: Mental health and substance use
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.
Distribution - Alberta, Ontario, Possibly National. Recalling firm - PataFoods Inc.
Distribution - National. Recalling firm - Dollarama S.E.C /L.P.
Distribution - Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia, possibly national. Recalling firm - Industry.
Distribution - National. Recalling firm - TFI Foods Ltd.
Distribution - Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia, possibly national. Recalling firm - Industry.
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.
Health Canada's sampling and evaluation program has determined that the recalled children's costume does not meet the flammability requirements under the Toys Regulations.
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.
Influenza activity across Canada remains low for this time of year. There continue to be sporadic detections of influenza being reported; however, there remains no evidence of community circulation of influenza.
In Canada, no new cases of measles or rubella were reported in week 52, 2021
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.
Influenza activity across Canada remains low for this time of year. There continues to be sporadic detections of influenza being reported; however, there remains no evidence of community circulation of influenza.
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.