Public Health Alerts

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 RSS

March 27, 2024

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.

March 27, 2024

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.

March 26, 2024

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.

March 25, 2024

Interior Heath has issued a DRUG POISONING ALERT for Williams Lake as there have been multiple drug poisonings including fatalities in the past week.

March 20, 2024

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.

March 20, 2024

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.

March 20, 2024

Overdoses are increasing in Greater Victoria and Westshore. Friends, family and community members using opioids and stimulants face increased risk from injection and inhalation.

March 20, 2024

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.

March 19, 2024

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.

March 8, 2024

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.

Ministry of Health RSS

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.

March 25, 2024
Residents and seniors in Kitimat and Kitamaat Village area will soon have access to high-quality dementia care at a new long-term care (LTC) home being developed at 100 Loganberry Ave.
March 13, 2024
Seniors in B.C. will be better supported to age safely at home thanks to the Province investing in home care and community-based services by recruiting and retaining more health-care workers, improving service delivery and expanding services for seniors.
March 11, 2024
People in Surrey will have access to enhanced health-care services as plans move ahead for a new acute care tower at Surrey Memorial Hospital.
March 11, 2024
Premier David Eby has issued the following statement acknowledging the National Day of Observance for COVID-19:
March 10, 2024
Cancer patients affected by certain advanced leukemias and lymphomas now have better access to Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-Cell (CAR-T) therapy closer to home, as the therapy becomes available in the province.

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

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:

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.

Canadian Food Inspection Agency RSS

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.

March 27, 2024
The affected product is being recalled from the marketplace due to possible Salmonella contamination.
March 26, 2024
The affected product is being recalled from the marketplace due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination.
March 21, 2024
Karachi Bakery brand Gluten Free Cookies recalled due to undeclared gluten. 
March 16, 2024
The affected product is being recalled from the marketplace because it contains anchovy which is not declared on the label.  
March 15, 2024
Consumption of Iqbal's brand Apricot Seed and Nazo brand Apricot Kernels may cause cyanide poisoning.

Public Health Agency of Canada RSS

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.

March 22, 2024
At the national level, most indicators of influenza activity remained similar compared to the previous week. All surveillance indicators are within or below expected levels typical of this time of year.
March 22, 2024
In Canada, 9 new cases of measles and no new cases of rubella were reported in week 10, 2024.
March 21, 2024
In week 11 (week ending March 16, 2024) in Canada, participating RVDSS laboratories reported 1,972 detections of SARS-CoV-2 from 32,252 tests (6.1% positive). Among non-SARS-CoV-2 respiratory viruses, where test volumes are lower (range of 6,719 to 25,733 tests), activity of influenza and human coronavirus are highest.
March 15, 2024
In Canada, 10 new cases of measles and no new cases of rubella were reported in week 9, 2024.
March 15, 2024
At the national level, most indicators of influenza activity remained similar compared to the previous week. All surveillance indicators are within or below expected levels typical of this time of year.