Public Health Alerts
Public Health Alerts
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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, 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 
August 25, 2022
There has been an increase in overdose events in the community of Fort St. John. The two reported substances are meth, clear or blue colour in crystal form, and crack, white/yellow colour in rock form. Both substances have tested positive for fentanyl.
August 24, 2022
Environment and Climate Change Canada has issued a heat warning for Inland Vancouver Island and a heat warning for East Vancouver Island – Courtenay to Campbell River, Duncan to Nanaimo, and Nanoose to Fanny Bay.
August 23, 2022
Howe Sound, B.C. – Environment and Climate Change Canada has issued a Heat Warning for two areas within the Vancouver Coastal Health region:
August 22, 2022
A new study finds that COVID-19 mRNA vaccines, the vaccines we have available here in B.C., are safe to use during pregnancy.
August 19, 2022
In recognition of National Immunization Awareness Month in August, Island Health is highlighting the importance of immunizations for children, youth and adults.
August 18, 2022
There is a limited supply of oral (liquid) versions of acetaminophen and ibuprofen across Canada.
August 17, 2022
Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) has issued a Heat Warning for Aug. 17-18 for the following areas within the Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) and Fraser Health (FH) regions:
August 17, 2022
LOWER MAINLAND, B.C. – Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) has issued a Heat Warning for Aug. 17-18 for the following areas within the Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) and Fraser Health (FH) regions:
August 16, 2022
Environment and Climate Change Canada has issued heat warnings starting tomorrow for various regions in Interior Health, including the South and Central Okanagan, North and South Thompson and Fraser Canyon. Temperatures up to 40 degrees are forecast in many of these areas.
August 16, 2022
Environment and Climate Change Canada has issued a heat warning for East Vancouver Island.
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.
The Ministry of Health, the provincial health officer and the Ministry of Education and Child Care are reminding families of how to stay healthy and reduce the spread of communicable diseases, including COVID-19, as children return to school and child care.
The Ministry of Health and Doctors of BC are providing $118 million in stabilization funding to family doctors throughout British Columbia to help them ensure their patients have continued access to primary care services.
Health-care assistants now have more financial support to become licensed practical nurses, helping them advance their careers, build a stronger future and develop the skills to provide more comprehensive care to people throughout the province.
Mike Farnworth, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General, Adrian Dix, Minister of Health, and Dr. Bonnie Henry, B.C.’s provincial health officer, have issued the following statement on prolonged heat warnings throughout B.C.:
The Province is making monkeypox vaccines available to people 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
Cooling Centres
EmergencyInfoBC has a list of cooling centres that can provide protection from heat-related illness during hot summer weather.
If your local community is not listed, please call your local municipality or check their website to see where there are air conditioned cooling centres for those who need them. For more information, visit the specific webpages below:
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: July 27, 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.
Life120 brand "Ricotta Di Bufala Campana Dop" recalled due to generic E. coli.
The recalled product has been sold in Quebec.
Mrakovic Fine Foods brand Natural Chicken Burger recalled due to undeclared egg.
The recalled product has been sold in Ontario.
Delizia brand Vegetarian Ham recalled due to undeclared gluten and wheat.
The recalled product has been sold in Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba and Ontario.
The affected product is being recalled from the marketplace because it contains milk which is improperly declared on the label.
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 in British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, 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.
In Canada, no new cases of measles or rubella were reported in week 32, 2022
Weekly respiratory virus detections have steadily decreased since mid-May.
In Canada, no new cases of measles or rubella were reported in week 13, 2022
In Canada, no new cases of measles or rubella were reported in week 29, 2022
Weekly respiratory virus detections have steadily decreased since mid-May.