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 
December 6, 2021
As of Monday, Dec. 6, 2021, 85.5% (4,261,317) of eligible people five and older in B.C. have received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine and 82.0% (4,085,935) have received their second dose.
December 5, 2021
The Province is advising owners of private drinking-water wells in flooded areas in the Metro Vancouver Regional District and Fraser Valley Regional District that their wells may be at increased risk of contamination.
December 2, 2021
There has been an increase in overdose events in the community of Quesnel. The reported substance is light purple/blue in powder/pebbles sold as down, when broken apart it turns pink.
December 2, 2021
Multiple drug samples tested in the West Kootenay /Kootenay Boundary area (Trail and Grand Forks) found to contain Carfentanil, Carfentanil analogues & Flualprazolam (a strong and longlasting benzodiazepine analogue.
December 1, 2021
The First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) encourages clients who are travelling for medical appointments to have proof of vaccination ready to prevent delays. The transition period has ended for travellers aged 12 and over who are not fully-vaccinated and wish to board planes, trains or non-essential passenger marine vessels at federally-regulated passenger terminals.
December 1, 2021
Northern Health (NH) has updated and revised regional public health orders, in response to current and sustained rates of COVID-19 activity and the impact on health care resources.
December 1, 2021
British Columbia continues to lead the way in Canada by expanding its biosimilar program and reinvesting savings to improve patient care and make prescription medications more affordable, including for those living with diabetes.
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
IH-WIDE – Interior Health will lift the COVID-19 regional medical health officer Gatherings and Events Order at midnight tonight.
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.
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.
As of Monday, Dec. 6, 2021, 85.5% (4,261,317) of eligible people five and older in B.C. have received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine and 82.0% (4,085,935) have received their second dose.
People in Esquimalt and neighbouring communities now have access to more comprehensive everyday health care with the opening of the Esquimalt urgent and primary care centre (UPCC).
People in Cranbrook and surrounding communities will have increased access to team-based everyday health care.
The Province is advising owners of private drinking-water wells in flooded areas in the Metro Vancouver Regional District and Fraser Valley Regional District that their wells may be at increased risk of contamination.
As of Friday, Dec. 3, 2021, 85.1% (4,240,459) of eligible people five and older in B.C. have received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine and 81.8% (4,079,299) 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 47, influenza activity across Canada was low with 19% of regions reporting any influenza activity. In the past week, all influenza indicators were at low interseasonal levels.
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 46, 2021
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.