News

Northern Health and First Nations Health Authority are issuing a drug advisory. A light purple pebble-like substance testing positive for carfentanil is possibly linked to increased overdoses and abnormal symptoms.

Northern Health has been made aware of an unauthorized food processor based in Port Clements processing and selling candy and possibly other food products from an unapproved and uninspected kitchen.

Residents of Kitimat and area will benefit from better access to diagnostic imaging services with construction underway to bring a new CT scanner to Kitimat General Hospital.

“Investing in health-care infrastructure like this CT project strengthens the foundation of our communities,” said Bowinn Ma, Minister of Infrastructure. “This kind of infrastructure directly improves quality of life and supports stronger, healthier communities by creating good construction jobs now and improving access to critical services for years to come.”

Recently, because of the warm weather, Northern Health has received several reports of cyanobacteria blooms in lakes across Northern BC. Cyanobacteria (also known as blue-green algae) are naturally occurring and can look like scum, grass clippings, fuzz or globs on the surface of water. Cyanobacteria can be blue-green, greenish-brown, brown, or pinkish-red, and often smells musty or grassy. Some cyanobacteria produce toxins, which can be released into the water when they die. During blooms, bacteria and toxin concentrations increase and may become a hazard.

Residents in the Northeast will soon have access to additional long-term care beds as the business plan has been approved for an expansion to Peace Villa in Fort St. John.

“As Fort St. John continues to grow, so does the need for strong, modern long-term care infrastructure,” said Bowinn Ma, Minister of Infrastructure. “This newly approved long-term care home is a generational investment—expanding access to quality care for seniors, strengthening health services in the region, and creating meaningful jobs for the community.”

People in northeastern British Columbia are one step closer to a new centre that will offer a holistic, culturally safe approach to addictions treatment and recovery, supporting more people on their healing journey.

Northern Health has issued a Toxic Drug Alert for Dawson Creek. A green substance sold as “down” has been linked to sudden overdoses requiring naloxone and/or hospitalization. Overdoses occur when the substance is inhaled. Use caution when using substances through any route.

Northern Health has identified multiple lab-confirmed cases of measles in the Northeast BC. community of Wonowon, located approximately 89 km Northwest of Fort St. John.