Public Health Alerts
Public Health Alerts
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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 
September 21, 2022
VCH has issued a drug alert for the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver (DTES) after colourless crystal sold as METH tested positive for BENZOS.
September 20, 2022
Starting the week of Sept. 19, Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) vaccine clinics will begin offering eligible individuals the new combination bivalent (two-strain) COVID-19 vaccine as part of the province’s fall booster program. This vaccine offers a strong immune response to circulating Omicron variants, the most common circulating COVID-19 strains in B.C. It also boosts protection to the original COVID-19 strain.
September 15, 2022
With fall on the horizon, BC Children’s Hospital and the BC Centre for Disease Control physicians are encouraging parents and caregivers to make sure their children are on schedule with their regular childhood vaccinations and COVID-19 vaccines.
September 15, 2022
In order to protect the province’s most vulnerable and the overall health-care system, COVID-19 vaccination requirements for health-care system workers continue to be in place.
September 15, 2022
At the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic, before approved vaccines were available, there was a high risk of transmitting the disease to family, friends and co-workers. For individuals testing positive for COVID-19, a 14-day isolation period was required to protect the people around them from also becoming ill.
September 14, 2022
Children under five are now able to get vaccinated against COVID-19 in B.C. and for one Vancouver family, the decision to vaccinate was simple.
September 10, 2022
Lower Mainland, B.C. — Metro Vancouver has issued an air quality advisory due to high concentrations of fine particulate matter that are expected to persist through the weekend. Elevated levels of fine particulate matter are due to smoke from both wildfires burning in BC and the US and a fire burning in Vancouver at a wood recycling facility. Smoke concentrations may vary widely across the region as winds and temperatures change, and as wildfire behaviour changes.
September 9, 2022
This message contains sensitive content and could be triggering. For crisis support here in BC, please contact the KUU-US Crisis Line at 1-800-588-8717 / visit our Mental Health and Wellness Support page for additional support services.
September 9, 2022
Now that Health Canada has approved use of the bivalent COVID-19 vaccine, BC is preparing to deploy them to clinics in time for the fall booster campaign.
September 8, 2022
Interior Health has issued a DRUG ALERT for NELSON after confirmatory drug checking results on a sample were found to contain Fentanyl, Fluorofentanyl (Fentanyl analogue), and Bromazolam (Benzodiazepine).
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.
Ukrainians arriving in B.C. with a Canada-Ukraine authorization for emergency travel (CUAET) can receive 100% coverage of eligible prescription costs for one year under PharmaCare’s Plan C.
More people living in Victoria and surrounding communities will have increased access to primary health-care services as a new urgent and primary care centre (UPCC) opened at the Gorge Road Hospital at 63 Gorge Rd. E. on Monday, Sept. 19, 2022.
In order to protect the province’s most vulnerable and the overall health-care system, COVID-19 vaccination requirements for health-care system workers continue to be in place.
More people in B.C. living with cystic fibrosis will be eligible for a medication called Trikafta, as eligibility criteria will be expanded on Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2022, based on a recommendation from the Canadian Drug Expert Committee (CDEC).
People will soon be able to get better protection against COVID-19, as the Province rolls out the new combination bivalent vaccine through its fall booster program.
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. For more information, visit the specific webpages below:
COVID-19
For information about COVID-19 from your local health authority, see:
- First Nations Health Authority: COVID-19 (Novel Coronavirus)
- Fraser Health: COVID-19
- Interior Health: Information you can trust about COVID-19
- Island Health: COVID-19
- Northern Health: COVID-19 information
- Vancouver Coastal Health: COVID-19
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
Last Updated: July 27, 2022
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.
No brand German Frikadellen recalled due to undeclared gluten and wheat.
The recalled product has been sold in Alberta.
The affected product is being recalled from the marketplace due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination.
The recalled product has been sold in British Columbia.
The affected product is being recalled from the marketplace due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination.
The recalled product has been sold in British Columbia and may have been distributed in other provinces and territories.
The affected product is being recalled from the marketplace because it contains almond which is not declared on the label.
The recalled product has been sold in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, and Quebec and may have been distributed in other provinces and territories.
Various brands of salad products recalled due to pieces of plastic.
The recalled products were distributed in Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador.
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 Canada, no new cases of measles or rubella were reported in week 36, 2022
Respiratory virus detections are low in Canada, and activity of all viruses is near or below expected levels.
In Canada, no new cases of measles or rubella were reported in week 34, 2022
Respiratory virus detections remain low in Canada.
In Canada, no new cases of measles or rubella were reported in week 32, 2022