https://www.healthlinkbc.ca/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.
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.
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.
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.
The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the lives of people, aged 18 to 29, in ways that could have long-term impacts for young adults and the B.C. community as a whole, according to a new report.
More than one million kits containing the lifesaving medication naloxone, used to reverse opioid overdoses, have been shipped to registered sites throughout the province since the inception of the Take Home Naloxone program in 2012.
Whole genome sequencing was performed by the BC Centre for Disease Control Public Health Laboratory and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s National Centre for Foreign Animal Disease Laboratory.
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, Oct. 15, 2021, 89.0% (4,126,668) of eligible people 12 and older in B.C. have received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine and 83.0% (3,848,689) received their second dose.
Construction is underway to expand the emergency department at West Coast General Hospital to support improvements to patient care and privacy for people in the region.
From: Northern Health (https://stories.northernhealth.ca/news-and-media/news)
As of Thursday, Oct. 14, 2021, 89.0% (4,123,354) of eligible people 12 and older in B.C. have received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine and 82.9% (3,842,247) have received their second dose.
As of Wednesday, Oct. 13, 2021, 88.9% (4,120,063) of eligible people 12 and older in B.C. have received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine and 82.7% (3,835,508) 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.
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.
For information about COVID-19 from your local health authority, see:
For latest updates from your Health Authority, see:
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.
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, British Columbia, Possibly National. Recalling firm – Global Vegetarian Foods Corp.
Distribution – Ontario. Recalling firm – Canada Uncle Bill Group Inc.
Distribution – Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario, Possibly National, Saskatchewan. Recalling firm – Covic International Trading Inc.
Distribution – British Columbia. Recalling firm – Global Vegetarian Foods Corp.
Distribution – Quebec. Recalling firm – Distribution Alimentaire Tony
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 has determined that these lighters do not meet the requirements of the Lighters Regulations in Canada and may pose a fire or burn hazard. Specifically, the lighters: 
Ombrelle Canada is recalling all lots of Ombrelle Garnier Complete Dry Mist Spray sunscreen, SPF30 and SPF 60, due to elevated levels of benzene. Frequent and long-term exposure (e.g., through the skin and by inhalation) to elevated levels of benzene may pose serious health risks. 
The affected product may contain powdery mildew. In certain individuals, exposure may result in allergic symptoms such as sneezing, coughing, wheezing, runny nose or nasal congestion, and watery or itchy eyes. 
The recalling firm is Canada Uncle Bill Group Inc..This product has been distributed in Retail.
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 week 40, influenza activity across Canada was exceptionally low with almost all regions reporting no influenza activity. For the past two weeks, all influenza indicators were at exceptionally low interseasonal levels. 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.
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.
In Canada, no new cases of measles or rubella were reported in week 39, 2021 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.
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.
In Canada, no new cases of measles or rubella were reported in week 38, 2021 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.
