Public Health Alerts
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.
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.
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 
Please see the attached document to learn more about the look, contamination, and risk associated with the current drug alert.
There has been an increase in overdose events in the community of Quesnel linked to three different colored substances: purple, multicolor, and bright blue.
Overdoses are increasing in Port Alberni from opioids and stimulants, increased risk with both injection and inhalation.
There has been a significant increase in overdose events in Prince George, resulting from two distinct substances. The first substance, known as "down," is a light brown/beige color and has been causing prolonged sedation, breathing difficulties, strange behavior, and blackouts. Testing shows it contains high levels of fentanyl (15-20%) and tested positive for benzodiazepine. The second substance is purple in color and has also been linked to overdoses. Testing and further information on this substance is currently unavailable.
Canada is experiencing a shortage of nitroglycerin 0.4 MG/ACT sprays due to supply issues with the raw materials used to make the sprays as well as an increase in demand.
Dr. Bonnie Henry, B.C.’s provincial health officer, and Adrian Dix, Minister of Health, have issued the following statement about spring COVID-19 boosters:
Overdoses are increasing in Port Alberni from opioids and stimulants, increased risk with both injection and inhalation.
Spring is the perfect opportunity to get outside as a family and try something new.
Interior Health is urging people to be prepared and extremely cautious in the backcountry, with continued high and considerable avalanche danger forecasted in many areas of the B.C Interior.
As spring and summer approaches, it can be common to experience an increased social focus on weight, body size and diet promotion.
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 EmergencyInfoBC website and shelters on the BC Housing website.
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 Clinical Tools & Resources
- 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.