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
As you explore the outdoors this spring and summer, there's a chance you'll encounter a bat. Bats play an essential role in B.C.'s ecosystem and economy, and can eat their weight in insects (including mosquitoes) in one night. All bats in Canada eat nothing but insects, and in most cases, only flying insects.
VANCOUVER – As temperatures increase, BC Children’s Hospital (BCCH) clinicians have issued a reminder to families to be aware of the dangers associated with infant and child access to open windows and balconies.
Overdoses are increasing in Comox Valley. Friends, family and community members using opioids and stimulants face increased risk from injection and inhalation.
Fort Nelson General Hospital has been safely evacuated and patients relocated to Northern Health facilities in Fort St. John and Dawson Creek. Fort Nelson General Hospital is currently closed, and staff have also safely left the community due to the Parker Lake wildfire evacuation order for the Northern Rockies Regional Municipality.
VCH has issued a drug alert. Yellow pressed pill with imprint “40” resembling oxycodone sold in Vancouver tested positive for protonitazene, a synthetic opioid, and negative for oxycodone.
Information Bulletin - Fort Nelson and area residents are advised that Fort Nelson General Hospital is closed effective immediately, due to the expanded evacuation orders resulting from wildfire activity in the region.
Northern Health & First Nations Health Authority - Northern Health is issuing an overdose advisory for the community of Quesnel due to an increase in drug poisoning/overdose events. Take care, drugs move throughout the North, please share this alert widely. We have included safety recommendations below.
VCH has issued a drug alert. Clear crystals sold as ketamine in Vancouver tested positive for levamisole, a veterinary drug that can cause adverse effects when taken by humans. Substance tested negative for ketamine.
Fatal overdoses are increasing in Williams Lake and Area. Learn more about the Williams Lake Drug Poisoning Overdose Alert that has been issued.
There have been multiple non fatal drug poisonings (overdoses) in the South Okanagan. In effect until May 3rd 2024.
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.