Public Health Alerts
Public Health Alerts
Node view
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 
November 30, 2021
The Province is advising owners of sewer systems who live in flooded areas of B.C. about potential risks for human health and the environment, and how to mitigate them.
November 30, 2021
As of Tuesday, Nov. 30, 2021, 84.8% (4,225,218) of eligible people five and older in B.C. have received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine and 81.7% (4,069,988) have received their second dose.
November 29, 2021
Today marks the first day of kids 5-11 getting vaccinated against COVID-19 in BC. Pediatric COVID-19 vaccines are designed for children's immune systems, and are safe and effective. Register your kids to get vaccinated at http://gov.bc.ca/vaccineforkids.
November 29, 2021
IH-WIDE – Children in Interior Health five to 11 years old will be able to get their COVID-19 vaccine
starting this week.
November 26, 2021
Dr. Bonnie Henry, B.C.'s provincial health officer, and Adrian Dix, Minister of Health, have issued the following statement regarding a new variant of concern (VOC), Omicron:
November 26, 2021
Interior BC has been experiencing severe flooding, with more showers expected over the weekend followed by unseasonably warm temperatures that will increase snow melt. There is also a threat of flooding in the Fraser Salish area.
November 26, 2021
KOOTENAY-BOUNDARY – Interior Health is hosting drop-in immunization clinics in Beaverdell, Balfour and Fauquier next week for people 18 and older who are due for their COVID-19 booster dose and for children age five to 11 to get the COVID-19 pediatric vaccine.
November 26, 2021
IH-WIDE – Interior Health is planning whole community immunization clinics in rural and remote communities for people 18 and older who are due for their COVID-19 booster dose and for children age five to 11 to get the COVID-19 pediatric vaccine.
November 23, 2021
The province announced today that all BC children aged five to 11 will be able to get a COVID-19 pediatric vaccine starting Nov. 29. The announcement follows Health Canada's approval last Friday of the pediatric Pfizer vaccine, which was found to be safe and effective for this age group.
November 23, 2021
Children in British Columbia five to 11 years old will soon have access to Pfizer’s COVID-19 pediatric vaccine.
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.
Adrian Dix, Minister of Health, has issued the following statement on the one-year anniversary of the release of In Plain Sight, the independent review of B.C. health care led by Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond.
The Province is advising owners of sewer systems who live in flooded areas of B.C. about potential risks for human health and the environment, and how to mitigate them.
As of Tuesday, Nov. 30, 2021, 84.8% (4,225,218) of eligible people five and older in B.C. have received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine and 81.7% (4,069,988) have received their second dose.
As of Monday, Nov. 29, 2021, 91.1% (4,223,237) of eligible people 12 and older in B.C. have received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine and 87.8% (4,067,778) received their second dose.
As of Friday, Nov. 26, 2021, 91.0% (4,219,790) of eligible people 12 and older in B.C. have received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine and 87.6% (4,060,193) 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.
In week 46, influenza activity across Canada was low with only 14% of regions reporting any influenza activity. In the past week, all influenza indicators were at low interseasonal levels.
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.
In Canada, no new cases of measles or rubella were reported in week 45, 2021
In week 45, influenza activity across Canada was low with 85% of regions reporting no influenza activity. In the past week, all influenza indicators were at low interseasonal levels.
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.