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 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.

March 6, 2024

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

March 6, 2024

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

March 5, 2024

Overdoses are increasing in North Vancouver Island. Friends, family and community members using opioids and stimulants face increased risk from injection and inhalation.

March 4, 2024

​With measles outbreaks being reported internationally and spring break on the horizon, the provincial health officer, BC Centre for Disease Control and public health officials are reminding people in British Columbia to check their vaccination records before travelling to ensure they are protected.

March 4, 2024

People in Richmond are being alerted to a series of potential exposures to a case of measles acquired from outside Canada that resulted in exposure between Feb. 24 and March 2 at the following locations: Feb. 24 - March 2: Vancouver Airport Hotel, 7188 Westminster Highway, Richmond, and Feb. 26: 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. – ICBC, 5300 No 3 Rd., Richmond.

March 4, 2024

Spring Break is coming up and Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) experts are advising travellers not to forget their travel vaccines before heading out on holidays.

March 4, 2024

With measles outbreaks being reported internationally and spring break on the horizon, the provincial health officer, BC Centre for Disease Control and public health officials are reminding people in British Columbia to check their vaccination records before travelling to ensure they are protected.

February 29, 2024

There has been an increase in overdoses in Prince George. Overdoses may be linked to a brown and pink substance sold as DOWN, both testing positive for high concentrations of fentanyl and benzodiazepines causing sudden overdose and requiring a higher number of naloxone dosages.

February 28, 2024

Clear crystal shards sold as methamphetamine in Vancouver tested positive for ketamine and negative for methamphetamine.

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 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.
March 8, 2024
People in B.C. on the path to parenthood will soon have more supports as the Province begins work to provide better, more affordable access to in-vitro fertilization (IVF) services.

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 16, 2024
The affected product is being recalled from the marketplace because it contains anchovy which is not declared on the label.  
March 14, 2024
The affected product is being recalled from the marketplace due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination.
March 8, 2024
President's Choice brand Milk Chocolate with Toasted Coconut recalled due to undeclared hazelnut. 
March 8, 2024
The affected product is being recalled from the marketplace because it contains egg which is not declared on the label.
March 6, 2024
Jeden Tag brand Remoulade recalled due to mould.

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 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.
March 14, 2024
In week 10 (week ending March 9, 2024) in Canada, participating RVDSS laboratories reported 1,950 detections of SARS-CoV-2 from 31,189 tests (6.3% positive). Among non-SARS-CoV-2 respiratory viruses, where test volumes are lower (range of 7,588 to 29,235 tests), activity of influenza is highest.
March 13, 2024
Using death investigation data to better understand the overdose crisis; Accidental substance-related acute toxicity deaths among youth in Canada: a descriptive analysis of a national chart review study of coroner and medical examiner data; Accidental substance-related acute toxicity deaths in older adults in 2016 and 2017: a national chart review study
March 7, 2024
In week 9 (week ending March 2, 2024) in Canada, participating RVDSS laboratories reported 2,319 detections of SARS-CoV-2 from 32,915 tests (7.0% positive). Among non-SARS-CoV-2 respiratory viruses, where test volumes are lower (range of 8,168 to 31,343 tests), activity of influenza is highest.