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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.

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

August 11, 2017

Use of face masks during wildfire events

Interior Health (IH) has received a number of inquiries from the public about the use of face masks for protection against wildfire smoke. IH would like to emphasize the best protection for the public is to reduce overall exposure to smoke, recognizing masks have their limitations.
August 11, 2017

Wildfire evacuees: Air quality and returning home

To date, tens of thousands of people have had to evacuate from their homes as a result of the wildfires in British Columbia. As evacuation orders are lifted and affected individuals are able to return home, many may be wondering if it is safe to do so. Air quality from smoke is one of the main concerns facing evacuees.
August 10, 2017

Is It Safe to Exercise Outside When the Air is Smoky?

Poor air quality is an issue in many parts of BC with wildfires burning and emitting smoke that is getting blown around much of the province. How do you know whether or not it’s safe to exercise outdoors?
August 10, 2017

Smoky Skies Bulletin Amended for BC Interior and North Coast

Areas now covered by this Bulletin include: 100 Mile, Arrow Lakes, BC Peace River (North), BC Peace River (South), Boundary, Bulkley Valley and The Lakes, Bulkley Valley and The Lakes Northwest (including Smithers), Bulkley Valley and The Lakes Southwest (including Burns Lake), Cariboo North, Cariboo South, Chilcotin, East Columbia, East Kootenay, Elk Valley, Fort Nelson, Fraser Canyon, Kinbasket, Kootenay Lake, Nicola, North Coast - Coastal Sections, North Coast - Inland Sections, North Columbia, North Thompson, Okanagan, Prince George, Shuswap, Similkameen, Slocan Lake, South Thompson, West Columbia, West Kootenay, Williston, Yellowhead, and Yoho Park - Kootenay Park..
August 10, 2017

Metro Vancouver Continued Air Quality Advisory - Update

Metro Vancouver is continuing an Air Quality Advisory for Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley because of high concentrations of fine particulate matter that are expected to persist until there is a change in the weather.
August 8, 2017

Safe drug use at festivals

Music festivals can be the highlight of the summer. Since more than music is shared at these events, if you do use drugs, follow a few simple steps to stay safe.
August 4, 2017

Smoky Skies Bulletin Issued for Whistler, Sunshine Coast and Howe Sound

The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy, in collaboration with Vancouver Coastal Health, has issued a Smoky Skies Bulletin for communities in the Whistler, Sunshine Coast, and Howe Sound regions due to wildfire smoke in the area.
August 3, 2017

Help prevent wildfires on the B.C. Day long weekend

With B.C. Day around the corner, everyone has a role to play in helping to prevent wildfires and having a safe, healthy long weekend.
August 2, 2017

High temperatures expected across Interior Health

Temperatures across British Columbia are expected to hit annual highs this week and next. Too much heat can be harmful to your health and can lead to weakness, disorientation and exhaustion. In severe cases, it can also lead to heat stroke, also known as sunstroke.
July 31, 2017

Hot weather calls for caution

Environment Canada has issued a special weather statement for hot weather for the South Coast (including Metro Vancouver, Fraser Valley, Howe Sound, Whistler and the Sunshine Coast). The prolonged period of hot weather will continue through to Thursday. Temperatures are expected to hit the mid to upper 30‘s.

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.

August 16, 2017

2017 BC Overdose Action Exchange: 10 areas for action in BC’s overdose crisis

Vancouver – In a report released this morning by the BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC), 10 recommended areas for action have been identified to help prevent illegal drug overdoses and reduce the number of deaths occurring in the province.

July 11, 2017

Research project pilots new illegal drug alert warning system to help prevent overdoses

Vancouver – Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) is working with the BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) on a new project to develop a more timely and accurate way to communicate information about clusters of drug overdoses and drug contamination alerts.

June 16, 2017

BCCDC drug overdose meeting: Turning ideas into action to help save lives

With a supply of street drugs so toxic more than four people die from overdoses each day in BC, what more can policy makers, public health officials and other partners do to make the response more effective?

May 19, 2017

BCCDC advises British Columbians about a new outbreak of E. coli O121 associated with flour

March 9, 2017

Language matters: reduce stigma, combat overdose

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.

August 11, 2017

Wildfire evacuees: Air quality and returning home

To date, tens of thousands of people have had to evacuate from their homes as a result of the wildfires in British Columbia.

August 8, 2017

Province to invest $4.5 million for new supportive housing in Penticton

The Province is providing $4.5 million to purchase the Super 8 motel, located at 1706 Main St., for supportive housing.

August 4, 2017

June illicit drug-death numbers

Illicit drug deaths in British Columbia continue to be a serious concern with the number of overdose deaths in the province up 88% compared with the same period in 2016, according to the latest statistics from the BC Coroners Service.

August 3, 2017

Help prevent wildfires on the B.C. Day long weekend

With B.C. Day around the corner, everyone has a role to play in helping to prevent wildfires and having a safe, healthy long weekend.

April 13, 2017

Statement on public health emergency anniversary

Provincial health officer Dr. Perry Kendall has issued the following statement: 


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

Forest Fires

Food Inspections

Water Quality

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.

August 14, 2017

Food Recall Warning - Allergen (wheat) - Assi brand Puffed Cereal Cookies

Distribution – Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba. Recalling firm – T-Brothers Food And Trading Ltd.

August 14, 2017

Food Recall Warning - Allergen (milk) - Kasih brand Sesame Butter and Halva Spread

Distribution – National. Recalling firm – Salem Brothers

August 14, 2017

Food Recall Warning - Allergen (Wheat) – Assi brand Puffed Cereal Cookies

Distribution – New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Ontario. Recalling firm – Korea Food Trading Ltd.

August 14, 2017

Food Recall Warning - Allergen (Wheat) – Trinity Bakeshop brand Cheesecake Brownies

Distribution – Newfoundland and Labrador. Recalling firm – Trinity Bakeshop Ltd.

August 10, 2017

Food Recall Warning (Extraneous Material) – Maple Lodge Farms brand Chicken Frankfurters and Zabiha Halal brand Chicken Frankfurters

Distribution – National. Recalling firm – Maple Lodge Farms Ltd.

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.

August 15, 2017

Insane (2017-08-11)

August 14, 2017

Beautycounter recalls Volume & Shape Shampoo

The recalled product is contaminated with Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic pathogen which can cause infections in individuals with weakened immune systems.

August 14, 2017

Pro Line Advanced Nutrition AMMO (2017-08-14)

August 14, 2017

BRIO AB recalls BRIO Soft Hammer Rattle

Due to moisture in the raw material before manufacture, the wooden rings can crack and possibly release small parts, posing a choking hazard to young children

August 13, 2017

Kasih brand Sesame Butter and Halva Spread recalled due to undeclared milk

The recalling firm is Salem Brothers.This product has been distributed in Retail.

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.

August 16, 2017

Measles & Rubella Weekly Monitoring Report - Week 31, 2017: July 30 to August 5, 2017

In Canada, no new cases of measles were reported in week 31, 2017. Globally, there are large outbreaks reported in Europe which have affected several countries 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.

August 16, 2017

Measles & Rubella Weekly Monitoring Report - Week 31, 2017: July 30 to August 5, 2017

In Canada, no new cases of measles were reported in week 31, 2017. Globally, there are large outbreaks reported in Europe which have affected several countries 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.

August 11, 2017

Respiratory Virus Report, Week 31 ending August 5, 2017

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.

August 10, 2017

West Nile Virus and Other Mosquito-Borne Disease National Surveillance Report: July 23 to July 29, 2017 (Week 30)

As of surveillance week 30, ending on July 29, 2017, the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) has been officially informed of three human clinical cases of West Nile virus (WNV). All were reported by the province of Ontario [Timiskaming (1), Windsor-Essex (1), and York Regional (1)]. 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.

August 10, 2017

Measles & Rubella Weekly Monitoring Report - Week 30, 2017: July 23 to July 29, 2017

In Canada, no new cases of measles were reported in week 30, 2017. Globally, there are large outbreaks reported in Europe which have affected several countries 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