Public Health Alerts

Public Health Alerts

Health alerts such as outbreaks, boil water advisories and product recalls can come from various trusted sources throughout British Columbia, in your local Health Authority area, and across Canada. This section of our website brings together all of these alerts in one location.

Heath authorities are responsible for providing up-to-date public health information in their communities. We have divided this section into topics with links to provincial and health authority specific information. These resources help you get access to the information and services where you live.

Northern Health and First Nations Health Authority are issuing a Toxic Drug Alert for the community of Prince George. A yellow-orange substance sold as “down” has resulted in an increased number of overdoses.

Northern Health and First Nations Health Authority are issuing a Toxic Drug Alert for the community of Prince George. A yellow-orange substance sold as “down” has resulted in an increased number of overdoses.

Northern Health and First Nations Health Authority are issuing a Toxic Drug Alert for the community of Prince George. A yellow-orange substance sold as “down” has resulted in an increased number of overdoses

Algae are a natural part of the aquatic ecosystems of lakes and algae blooms can occur throughout the Interior Health region.

Blue-green algae are actually a microscopic bacteria called cyanobacteria. Cyanobacteria can live in waters through winter. In the warmer spring and summer months, cyanobacteria can multiply very quickly and produce several types of toxins that can be poisonous to people, pets and livestock.

Interior Heath has issued a DRUG ALERT for Kamloops and surrounding area. Purple/pink chunks/pebbles sold as down/dope/tranq/fentanyl were found to contain high amounts of medetomidine (16%) and fentanyl (29%). 

In 2025, BC Children’s Hospital emergency department recorded a 35 per cent increase in the number of visits for window or balcony fall-related injuries compared to the previous year (from 15 (2024) to 23 (2025). The province’s specialist pediatric hospital, along with partners BC Emergency Health Services and the BC Injury Research and Prevention Unit, are urging the public to take steps to reduce the risk of these often tragic incidents.

Ministry of Health

Josie Osborne, Minister of Health, has released the following statement on the proposed overdose-prevention site in Vancouver:

B.C. Ministry of Health

Report tracks latest trends, offers policy recommendations

B.C. Ministry of Health

New centre for maternity care open Prince George

B.C. Ministry of Health

Dr. Bonnie Henry, provincial health officer, has issued the following statement about the arrival of Canadians from MV Hondius to B.C.:

B.C. Ministry of Health

B.C. expanding role of midwives, strengthening access to reproductive care

B.C. Ministry of Health

Upgrades coming to MRI services at Peace Arch Hospital

B.C. Ministry of Health

Dadzi Wellness Centre opens near Fort St. James, providing culturally safe primary care

B.C. Ministry of Health

Latest funding supports 33 projects in B.C., including 20 in Indigenous communities

B.C. Ministry of Health

Port Alberni, Campbell River area residents will receive culturally safe care

B.C. Ministry of Health

New service connects tradespeople with pain to resources to live healthier lives

B.C. Ministry of Health

Last updated: November 14, 2025

Air quality

Air Quality Advisories may be issued in many areas of BC when there are high concentrations of fine particulate matter primarily due to smoke from wildfires burning throughout BC and Washington State. Smoke concentrations may vary widely across the region as winds, temperatures, and wildfire behaviour change. 

For information on air quality advisories, warnings when air pollution levels exceed limits and Smoky Skies Bulletin announcements regarding wildfire smoke, visit the Government of British Columbia's Air Quality Advisories.

Emergencies

For information on emergencies and natural disasters affecting the province such as floods, wildfires, and earthquakes and other emergencies that require public awareness and action, visit the EmergencyInfoBC page.

Drinking water quality and advisories

B.C.’s regional health authorities are also responsible for issuing notifications about drinking water quality. The three water notification levels range from the least to most serious and include water quality advisory, boil water advisory and a “do not use water” notice. To learn more about these advisory levels and their impact, visit the Government of British Columbia: Water quality notifications page.

For water quality notifications in your specific health authority, visit:

Food safety and inspections

Food safety and inspections in British Columbia are managed by health authorities, ensuring food is safe to eat and that food premises comply with regulatory requirements to protect public health. Learn more about provincial food safety and security on the Government of British Columbia: Food Safety & Security web page.

For your specific health authority specific information, visit:

Health authority news releases

For latest updates from your health authority, see:

Health services

The HealthLink BC Directory provides listings for health services provided by the provincial government, provincial health authorities, and non-profit agencies across the province. You can search for walk-in clinics, emergency rooms, hospitals, mental health programs, home care programs, pharmacy services, laboratory services, and more. To start searching, visit HealthLink BC Directory.

Mental health and substance use

Mental health and substance use concerns can affect many British Columbians whether they are family, neighbors or co-workers. To learn more, visit the HealthLinkBC Mental Health and Substance Use page. Services available provincially include the following:

For health authority specific services and resources, visit:

Warming centres

BC Housing supports three types of emergency shelters serving people experiencing homelessness:

  • Year-round shelters
  • Temporary shelters
  • Extreme weather response (EWR) shelters 

Visit the BC Housing shelter program fact sheet (PDF, 130KB) and learn more through BC Housing's Emergency Shelter Program. To find an emergency shelter visit the visit the shelter map.

EmergencyInfoBC will share verified cold weather event information during emergencies, including cold weather advisories and warming centres. 

You can also visit the EmergencyInfoBC live map for information on warming centres, public warming spaces, and Emergency Support Services reception centres.

For other cold weather-related resources visit the Your health this winter health feature. You can also learn more about Cold weather resources for emergency planning and response - Province of British Columbia.

Cooling centres

EmergencyInfoBC will share verified hot weather event information during emergencies, including extreme heat advisories and cooling centres. In response to extreme heat, First Nations and local governments in affected areas may open emergency cooling centres or general cooling spaces. Locations may be listed on EmergencyMapBC at the discretion of local governments. If cooling locations are not listed on the map in your area, contact your Band office or local government. See the BC Housing website for shelter information throughout BC. 

For other heat-related resources, visit the Beat the Heat and Your health this summer health features. Additional information is also available on the Government of British Columbia: Be prepared for extreme heat and drought webpage.

Canadian Food Inspection Agency

The affected product is being recalled from the marketplace due to possible pathogenic E. coli contamination.

Canadian Food Inspection Agency

The affected products are being recalled from the marketplace due to possible pathogenic E. coli contamination.

Canadian Food Inspection Agency

El Mexicano brand Agua Fresca de Horchata Instant Horchata Drink recalled due to improperly declared milk.

Canadian Food Inspection Agency

Blackstone brand Parmesan Ranch Seasoning recalled due to Salmonella.

Canadian Food Inspection Agency

The affected products are being recalled from the marketplace due to possible pathogenic E. coli contamination.

Canadian Food Inspection Agency

The affected product is being recalled from the marketplace due to possible Salmonella contamination.

Canadian Food Inspection Agency

The affected products are being recalled from the marketplace due to possible Salmonella contamination.

Canadian Food Inspection Agency

The affected product is being recalled from the marketplace because it contains wheat which is not declared on the label.

Canadian Food Inspection Agency

The affected product is being recalled from the marketplace because it may contain almond which is not declared on the label.

Canadian Food Inspection Agency

FreezYums! brand Freeze Dried Candy - Sour Key Gummy recalled due to pieces of metal.

Canadian Food Inspection Agency

Public Health Agency of Canada

Systemic and organizational barriers to primary chronic disease prevention: a qualitative study of public health organizations in Canada; Misclassification bias in chronic disease case ascertainment algorithms: a reclassification approach

Public Health Agency of Canada

A mixed-methods approach to understanding pharmacists’ experiences with the CANRISK diabetes risk questionnaire and user guide; Evolving influence of mental health stigma in Ontario public safety organizations: a qualitative study

Public Health Agency of Canada

Natural experiments in the built environment: evaluating impacts on health; Shaping healthier futures: community-level impact of the Alberta Healthy Communities Approach

Public Health Agency of Canada

Physical activity levels among Canadians using a health equity lens; Child maltreatment in Canada: prevalence and gender differences among youth; Prosocial behaviour and happiness among children aged 6 to 11 years in Canada

Public Health Agency of Canada

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Public Health Agency of Canada

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Public Health Agency of Canada

Closing the knowledge gap: identifying research priorities for firearm-related injury and mortality in Canada; Identifying social prescribing core outcomes using a Delphi approach: findings and future directions

Public Health Agency of Canada

Mapping social determinants of cognitive health in Canada: a scoping review; Utilization of silver diamine fluoride by dentists in Canada: a review of the Non-Insured Health Benefits Dental Claims database

Public Health Agency of Canada

Perceptions of cannabis among adults aged 60 years and older in Canada: a qualitative study; Inequalities in the burden of disease due to dementia, including Alzheimer disease, in British Columbia, Canada, from 2001 to 2022; Prevalence of childhood cancer in Canada: an analysis using 5-year, 18-year and 25-year limited-duration prevalence from the CYP-C data tool

Public Health Agency of Canada