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 
August 9, 2022
BC Children’s Hospital doctors are urging parents and caregivers ensure windows are safe as they're opened to catch the summer breeze.
August 4, 2022
Starting Tuesday, Aug. 2, Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) began welcoming infants and children age six months to four years and their families, to dedicated COVID-19 vaccine clinics. Eleven clinics are operating across VCH communities offering child-centred care tailored to the needs of individual children and their families.
August 4, 2022
British Columbians should remain alert to the threat of wildfire throughout August as conditions remain hot and dry.
August 3, 2022
Interior Health (IH) clinics are now scheduled for children between the ages of six months and four years old with a COVID-19 vaccine specifically formulated for this age group.
August 2, 2022
VANCOUVER, B.C. – Starting Tuesday Aug. 2, Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) is welcoming infants and children age six months to four years and their families, to dedicated COVID-19 vaccine clinics. Eleven clinics will operate across VCH communities offering child-centred care tailored to the needs of individual children and their families.
August 1, 2022
If you’re in the West Kootenay, Boundary or South Okanagan regions, please read today’s smoky skies bulletin and take steps to protect your health.
July 29, 2022
Mike Farnworth, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General, Dr. Bonnie Henry, B.C.’s provincial health officer, and Adrian Dix, Minister of Health, have issued the following statement on prolonged heat warnings throughout B.C.:
July 29, 2022
The Province of British Columbia is making monkeypox vaccines available to people across B.C.
July 29, 2022
The Province is making monkeypox vaccines available to people in British Columbia. Although the number of cases in B.C. remains low, some community transmission has been identified.
July 28, 2022
Beginning August 2, 2022, all people over the age of six months in B.C. can now receive protection against the COVID-19 virus, following Health Canada’s approval of the vaccine specifically formulated for children between the ages of six months and five years old.
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.
Mike Farnworth, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General, Adrian Dix, Minister of Health, and Dr. Bonnie Henry, B.C.’s provincial health officer, have issued the following statement on prolonged heat warnings throughout B.C.:
The Province is making monkeypox vaccines available to people in British Columbia.
People accessing health care in the Lower Mainland, North Shore, Sunshine Coast and Sea-to-Sky are benefiting from more stable, consistent and supportive patient care as food-service workers who were previously contracted out return as Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) employees.
British Columbians will soon benefit from as many as 322 more allied health professionals supporting their health-care needs as new training seats are added to public post-secondary institutions throughout B.C.
People in the Interior will soon see an increase in surgical capacity as Interior Health adds five new operating rooms (OR): two at Kelowna General Hospital (KGH) and three at Royal Inland Hospital (RIH) in Kamloops, along with increased supports for staff.
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.
Sober Island brand OG Oysters recalled due to generic E. coli.
The recalled product was sold in Nova Scotia.
Mother Dairy brand Paneer Fresh Cheese recalled due to generic E. coli.
The recalled product was sold in Alberta.
Vicentina Fine Foods Gourmet brand lasagna products recalled due to undeclared egg.
The recalled products were sold in Ontario.
Sask Prairie brand Dill Pickle Flavoured Vodka recalled due to pieces of glass.
The recalled product was sold in Ontario.
The affected products are being recalled from the marketplace because they may contain milk which is not declared on the label.
The recalled products have been sold in Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, and Ontario, and may have been distributed in other provinces and territories. They have also been sold online.
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 29, 2022
Weekly respiratory virus detections have steadily decreased since mid-May.
At the national level, influenza activity continued to decline from a percent positivity rate of 3% in week 25 to 0.7% in week 29. The percentage of positive tests has remained below the seasonal threshold of 5% since mid-June (week 24). Despite the decline, sporadic influenza activity continues to be reported in many regions across the country.
Weekly respiratory virus detections have steadily decreased since mid-May.
In Canada, no new cases of measles or rubella were reported in week 28, 2022