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 
May 16, 2024
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.
May 15, 2024
Overdoses are increasing in Comox Valley. Friends, family and community members using opioids and stimulants face increased risk from injection and inhalation.
May 11, 2024
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.
May 10, 2024
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.
May 10, 2024
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.
May 8, 2024
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.
April 30, 2024
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.
April 30, 2024
Fatal overdoses are increasing in Williams Lake and Area. Learn more about the Williams Lake Drug Poisoning Overdose Alert that has been issued.
April 26, 2024
There have been multiple non fatal drug poisonings (overdoses) in the South Okanagan. In effect until May 3rd 2024.
April 26, 2024
B.C. is taking action to make illicit drug use illegal in all public spaces, including inside hospitals, on transit and in parks. It’s part of several new measures introduced by the Province, focused on providing police with more tools to address public safety while offering support and access to treatment for people living with addictions.
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 Province has transformed ambulance services with close collaboration with the BC Emergency Health Services (BCEHS) and CUPE 873/Ambulance Paramedics of BC (APBC), benefiting a record number of people.
People will be safer on B.C.’s roads with another round of support for 56 more communities that will further help prevent serious injuries and deaths.
People living in the Mission area are benefiting from more access to team-based longitudinal and urgent primary care with the opening of a new Urgent and Primary Care Centre (UPCC).
People in the Greater Victoria area who identify as Indigenous are benefiting from better access to culturally safe health-care services with the opening of a new primary care centre on March 25, 2024, at 209-2951 Tillicum Rd.
Harwinder Sandhu, Parliamentary Secretary for Seniors’ Services, has released the following statement in recognition of Family Caregiver Month, May 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.
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.
The affected products are being recalled from the marketplace due to possible Salmonella contamination.
The affected products are being recalled from the marketplace due to possible Salmonella contamination.
The affected products are being recalled from the marketplace due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination.
Balocco brand Ciambelle Biscuits - Cream and Eggs recalled due to pieces of plastic.
Centennial Food Service brand Ground Pork recalled due to pieces of metal.
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, 6 new cases of measles and no new cases of rubella were reported in week 18, 2024.
In week 19 (week ending May 11, 2024) in Canada, percent positivity is currently highest for enterovirus/rhinovirus (10.1% positive) among respiratory viruses under surveillance.
Disparities in positive mental health of sexual and gender minority adults in Canada; Substance-related poisoning hospitalizations and homelessness in Canada: a descriptive study; Public health communication professional development opportunities and alignment with core competencies: an environmental scan and content analysis
In week 18, the percentage of tests positive for influenza was 5.2% and a total of 1,334 laboratory detections (278 influenza A and 1,056 influenza B) were reported.
In week 18, the percentage of tests positive for influenza was 5.2% and a total of 1,334 laboratory detections (278 influenza A and 1,056 influenza B) were reported.