Public Health Alerts
Public Health Alerts
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, including its symptoms, how it spreads, and prevention, visit the Coronavirus (COVID-19) health feature.
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.
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 
March 27, 2023
Please see the attached document to learn more about the look, contamination, and risk associated with the current drug alert.
March 24, 2023
There has been an increase in overdose events in the community of Quesnel linked to three different colored substances: purple, multicolor, and bright blue.
March 23, 2023
Overdoses are increasing in Port Alberni from opioids and stimulants, increased risk with both injection and inhalation.
March 21, 2023
There has been a significant increase in overdose events in Prince George, resulting from two distinct substances. The first substance, known as "down," is a light brown/beige color and has been causing prolonged sedation, breathing difficulties, strange behavior, and blackouts. Testing shows it contains high levels of fentanyl (15-20%) and tested positive for benzodiazepine. The second substance is purple in color and has also been linked to overdoses. Testing and further information on this substance is currently unavailable.
March 17, 2023
Canada is experiencing a shortage of nitroglycerin 0.4 MG/ACT sprays due to supply issues with the raw materials used to make the sprays as well as an increase in demand.
March 10, 2023
Dr. Bonnie Henry, B.C.’s provincial health officer, and Adrian Dix, Minister of Health, have issued the following statement about spring COVID-19 boosters:
March 9, 2023
Overdoses are increasing in Port Alberni from opioids and stimulants, increased risk with both injection and inhalation.
March 8, 2023
Spring is the perfect opportunity to get outside as a family and try something new.
March 3, 2023
Interior Health is urging people to be prepared and extremely cautious in the backcountry, with continued high and considerable avalanche danger forecasted in many areas of the B.C Interior.
March 2, 2023
As spring and summer approaches, it can be common to experience an increased social focus on weight, body size and diet promotion.
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.
The Province is taking actions to ensure that diabetes patients in B.C. do not experience a shortage of the diabetes drug semaglutide (Ozempic) in an environment where surging demand in some jurisdictions is creating shortages.
More people in Rutland and surrounding Kelowna neighbourhoods will soon have increased access to team-based, everyday health care with a new urgent and primary care centre (UPCC), opening in fall 2023 at 110 Hwy. 33 W.
People on the Lower Mainland will benefit from improved long-term care and community services as Providence Health Care prepares to build the new St. Vincent’s Heather long-term care home.
People living in Harrison Mills and north of the Fraser River between Agassiz and Mission will have access to First Nations-led primary care with the development of the Sts’ailes Community Care Campus (SCCC) at 46090 Lougheed Hwy.
More long-term care beds are coming for people living throughout the Greater Victoria area as Island Health prepares to build a new care home in the Westshore.
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
Warming Centres
EmergencyInfoBC has a list of warming centres and emergency shelters that can provide protection from Hypothermia and Cold Temperature Exposure during extreme cold weather. Find Warming Centres on the EmergencyInfoBC website and shelters on the BC Housing website.
COVID-19
For information about COVID-19 from your local health authority, see:
- First Nations Health Authority: COVID-19 (Novel Coronavirus)
- Fraser Health: COVID-19
- Interior Health: Information you can trust about COVID-19
- Island Health: COVID-19
- Northern Health: COVID-19 information
- Vancouver Coastal Health: COVID-19
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 Clinical Tools & Resources
- Island Health: Mental Health and Substance Use Services
- Northern Health: Mental health and substance use
- Vancouver Coastal Health: Mental health and substance use
Last Updated: November 28, 2022
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.
The affected products are being recalled from the marketplace because they contain egg which is not declared on the label.
The recalled products have been sold in Alberta and may have been distributed in other provinces and territories.
Green Sun brand Dark Chocolate Covered Pineapple recalled due to undeclared milk.
The recalled product has been sold in Quebec, Ontario, Alberta and British Columbia.
China Lily brand Soya Sauce recalled due to leaking and bulging bottles.
The recalled product has been sold in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba.
The affected product is being recalled from the marketplace because it contains egg which is not declared on the label.
The recalled product has been sold in British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Ontario, online and may have been distributed in other provinces and territories.
The affected product is being recalled from the marketplace because it may permit the growth of Clostridium botulinum.
The recalled product has been sold in Ontario, Nova Scotia, Quebec and may have been distributed in other provinces or territories.
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.
In Canada, no new cases of measles or rubella were reported in week 11, 2023
At the national level, influenza activity remains low at levels typically seen in late spring/early summer. Influenza activity continues to be reported in most provinces.
In week 11 (week ending March 18, 2023) in Canada, participating RVDSS laboratories reported 5,796 detections of SARS-CoV-2 from 49,955 tests (11.6% positive). Among non-SARS-CoV-2 respiratory viruses, where test volumes are lower (range of 6,963 to 24,304 tests), activity of nearly all viruses is within or below expected levels.
In Canada, no new cases of measles or rubella were reported in week 10, 2023
In week 10 (week ending March 11, 2023) in Canada, participating RVDSS laboratories reported 5,801 detections of SARS-CoV-2 from 50,807 tests (11.4% positive). Among non-SARS-CoV-2 respiratory viruses, where test volumes are lower (range of 7,012 to 24,583 tests), activity of nearly all viruses is within or below expected levels.