Updated on March 06, 2025
Disease Outbreak
Disease outbreaks can happen suddenly and without warning, posing a threat to public health and safety.
Quick facts
- Outbreaks limited to a specific area are called an epidemic.
- Outbreaks that spread to the rest of the world are called pandemics.
- Public health emergencies are planned for and managed by the BC Centre for Disease Control.
- Health alerts about disease outbreaks can come from several trusted sources across the province. Visit HealthLink BC for public health alerts.
Getting ready for a disease outbreak
Check out these top tips from the Government of British Columbia on preparing for an outbreak.
Pandemic preparedness guide
Find out how to prepare for a pandemic and stay prepared as circumstances change. Pandemic preparedness guide (PDF, 7.9MB)