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 
May 25, 2022
Interior Health has issued a drug poisoning alert for Nelson after a drug poisoning event occurred at ANKORS OPS. Sample of orange/pink pebbles sold as Down contained Carfentanyl, Fentanyl and Flualprazolam. High risk of drug poisoning, overdose and death.
May 20, 2022
Earlier this morning, it was reported that health officials were investigating two reported cases of monkeypox in B.C. Public health interviewed two individuals but upon investigation it was determined that they were not considered contacts of cases as they had not been exposed.
May 20, 2022
Interior Health is making the opioid use disorder medication Suboxone widely available in its hospital emergency departments.
May 19, 2022
Even though spring has been cool and rainy in many parts of BC, we all need to plan ahead for potential floods, wildfires and extreme heat this summer.
May 17, 2022
BC Children’s Hospital doctors are urging parents and caregivers ensure their homes’ windows are safe for spring and summer breezes.
May 13, 2022
With the easing of public health restrictions related to COVID-19 in BC, many people who were working from home during the height of the pandemic are now going back to the office or other jobs in public settings.
May 10, 2022
Drug Alert - NANAIMO- May 10th, 2022** Island Health has issued a drug poisoning advisory for Nanaimo. Overdoses are increasing in Nanaimo. Friends, family and community members using opioids and stimulants face increased risk from both injection and inhalation.
May 10, 2022
As more people head outdoors across Interior Health, it is likely they may encounter bats. Bats can carry diseases that can be transmitted to humans. This PSA provides tips on how to avoid bat exposures and when to seek health advice.
May 5, 2022
If you’ve struggled to perform a COVID-19 rapid test on your child, BC Children’s Hospital and the BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) have created a video to help.
May 5, 2022
Drug Alert - MERRITT - May 5th, 2022 Interior health has issued a drug alert in Merritt after benzodiazepines and high level of fentanyl found in light, yellow, chalky sample sold as down. High risk of 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.
Langley residents in need of end-of-life care will soon have increased options for community hospice closer to home as construction of the new 15-room hospice completes.
BC Cancer has launched a provincewide lung cancer screening program, providing access to eligible high-risk people at 36 sites throughout the province.
People will benefit from the major expansion at Penticton Regional Hospital as final renovations wrap up at the David E. Kampe Tower.
People needing surgery at Vancouver General Hospital (VGH) will have increased access to care as the provincial government has approved the business plan for the second phase of expansion, adding 13 new operating rooms (ORs) and 39 new perioperative patient bays at the facility.
Communities in British Columbia are encouraged to support seniors so they can live active and independent lives as $500,000 in a new round of age-friendly grants are available for application.
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
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.
Sweet Spot Chocolate Shop is recalling certain Sweet Spot Chocolate Shop brand peanut butter-containing chocolates from the marketplace due to possible Salmonella contamination.
The recalled products have been sold in Nova Scotia and online.
Rogers brand Golden Yellow Sugar recalled due to pieces of plastic.
The recalled product was distributed in Alberta and British Columbia.
Smucker Foods of Canada Corp. is recalling certain Jif brand Peanut Butters from the marketplace due to possible Salmonella contamination.
The recalled products have been sold nationally and online.
Cebu's Dried Fish brand Dried Silver Fish (Bol S Dilis) recalled due to histamine.
The recalled product has been sold in Alberta and online.
Lafleur Original brand Wieners recalled due to texture and appearance issues.
The recalled product was sold in Manitoba, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Ontario, and Quebec.
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 has declined slightly from the previous week (week 19), but remains above the epidemic threshold. Influenza activity continues to be reported in almost all regions of all provinces and territories.
Detections of seasonal respiratory viruses have stabilized in recent weeks.
In Canada, one new case of measles and no new cases of rubella were reported in week 19, 2022.
Since the beginning of April, detections of influenza have sharply increased. Influenza activity has reached seasonal thresholds.
Detections of seasonal respiratory viruses have increased since February 2022, with influenza accounting for most of the increase.