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.
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
Check your immunization records to ensure you and your loved ones are fully protected against measles. We’ve increased the number of immunization clinics to make it easier to get immunized.
VCH has issued a drug alert. White counterfeit hydromorphone/Dilaudid tablets with imprints “D/D” and “8” seized in Vancouver found to contain protonitazene and metonitazene. Nitazenes are synthetic opioids that can cause overdose.
VCH has issued a drug alert. Pink powder sold in Vancouver as “tuci” or "tusi", which typically is expected to contain ketamine, MDMA and/or stimulants, tested positive for ketamine, MDMA and benzos.
Interior Heath has issued a DRUG POISONING ALERT for Williams Lake as there have been multiple drug poisonings including fatalities in the past week.
The City of New Westminster and Fraser Health have launched a new collaborative toxic drug response program this week in an effort to proactively reduce toxic drug poisonings and the risk of a fatality in the event one occurs. The Second Responder Program team is comprised of a New Westminster firefighter and two members of Fraser Health’s Overdose Outreach Team which includes social workers, registered nurses and harm reduction workers.
There has been an increase in drug poisoning/overdose events in Terrace. Overdoses have been linked to smoking a purple substance sold as “down” causing prolonged sedation and requiring many doses of Naloxone to reverse.
Overdoses are increasing in Greater Victoria and Westshore. Friends, family and community members using opioids and stimulants face increased risk from injection and inhalation.
Spring is here and the warmer weather means more people will be out hiking in tall grass or wooded areas. This can also mean an increased chance of getting tick bites.
Interior Health has issued a DRUG ALERT for Grand Forks. White powder sold as cocaine in Grand Forks tested positive for cocaine HCI and fentanyl. There is a high risk of overdose.
Beige granules sold as Down tested positive for high concentrations of Bromazolam (over 60%) and Fentanyl in Coquitlam. Friends, family, and community members using opioids may face increased risk of overdose from injection, inhalation and ingestion.
Last Updated: January 14, 2024
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 and health
Warming Centres
EmergencyInfoBC will share verified cold weather event information during emergencies, including cold weather advisories and warming centres. See the BC Housing website for shelter information throughout BC. For emergency warming centres, public warming spaces, and Emergency Support Services reception centres, visit: http://EmergencyMapBC.ca
For other cold weather-related resources, see our Your Health This Winter health feature and our Hypothermia and Cold Temperature Exposure topic.
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
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
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.