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, including its 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 2, 2022
Dialing 9-1-1 will provide you with direct access to all emergency service providers in British Columbia, including Ambulance, Police, and Fire. You can dial 9-1-1 from any telephone.
December 1, 2022
VANCOUVER, B.C. – Since B.C. first began offering influenza vaccines this fall, over 340,000 doses have been administered to adults and children in the Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) region.
December 1, 2022
Drug Poisoning Overdose Advisory - Parksville/Oceanside - Dec. 1, 2022
November 30, 2022
Please see the attached document to learn more about the look, contamination, and risk associated with the current drug alert.
November 30, 2022
Please see the attached document to learn more about the look, contamination, and risk associated with the current drug alert.
November 29, 2022
With fall well underway, days are shortening, temperatures are dropping and some residents across the Island Health region are stoking up their wood stoves and other devices to fend off chillier weather.
November 28, 2022
It's respiratory virus season in BC and that means more people are getting sick with things like the common cold, influenza (the flu) and COVID-19.
November 25, 2022
As the overdose public health emergency continues to claim lives throughout British Columbia, Fraser Health is reminding people who use substances that smoking toxic substances carries the same risk of overdose as injecting them.
November 23, 2022
North Vancouver, B.C. – Residents living on the North Shore and Coastal regions in need of emergency mental health and substance use treatment will have a new safe and secure place to receive care as Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) opens the new Psychiatric Emergency Assessment and Treatment (PEAT) area at Lions Gate Hospital (LGH).
November 23, 2022
Exposure to radon gas is a preventable health risk. The only way to know the level of radon gas in your indoor environment is to test for it. We encourage residents living, working and playing in the B.C. Interior region to test for radon in your homes, places of work and indoor leisure environments.
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.
Adrian Dix, Minister of Health, has released the following statement in response to actions taken by the Medical Services Commission in regard to Telus’s LifePlus program:
Adrian Dix, Minister of Health, has issued the following statement in recognition of World AIDS Day and Indigenous AIDS Awareness Week:
The Ministry of Health has released a progress report on government’s steps to address Indigenous-specific racism in B.C.’s health-care system, as recommended in the In Plain Sight: Addressing Indigenous-specific Racism and Discrimination in BC Health Care report.
A new medical school on the Simon Fraser University (SFU) Surrey campus is taking a significant step forward with the hiring of an interim dean and provincial funding to support its development.
More family doctors will be available to take patients and treat people as the Province expands a program that trains internationally educated doctors, so they can get licensed to practise in British Columbia.
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
Warming Centres
EmergencyInfoBC has a list of warming centres and emergency shelters that can provide protection from Hypothermia and Cold Temperature Exposure during extreme cold weather. Find Warming Centres on the EmergencyInfoBCwebsite.
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: November 28, 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.
The affected product is being recalled from the marketplace because it contains milk which is not declared on the label.
The recalled product has been sold in Ontario and Quebec.
Alpha brand Plant-Based Breakfast Sandwich - Meatless Sausage recalled due to undeclared milk.
The recalled product has been sold nationally.
The affected product is being recalled from the marketplace because it contains milk which is not declared on the label.
The recalled product has been sold nationally.
Ground Turkey Extra Lean 98/2 recalled due to pieces of bone.
The recalled product has been sold nationally.
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 British Columbia, Alberta, and Quebec, and may have been distributed in other provinces and territories.
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.
At the national level, influenza activity has continued to increase steeply as we enter the fifth week of the national influenza epidemic. All surveillance indicators are increasing and all are above expected levels typical of this time of year.
At the national level, influenza activity has continued to increase steeply as we enter the fifth week of the national influenza epidemic. All surveillance indicators are increasing and all are above expected levels typical of this time of year.
In Canada, no new cases of measles or rubella were reported in week 47, 2022
In Canada, no new cases of measles or rubella were reported in week 46, 2022
In week 47 (week ending November 26, 2022) in Canada, participating RVDSS laboratories reported 10,639 detections of SARS-CoV-2 from 89,913 tests (11.8% positive). Among non-SARS-CoV-2 respiratory viruses, where test volumes are lower (range of 9,346 to 35,629 tests), activity of influenza is highest and increasing.