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Respiratory Infections

PICNet  >  Guidelines & Toolkits   >  GASTROINTESTINAL & RESPIRATORY INFECTIONS  >  Respiratory Infections

BC Policies and Guidelines

Provincial Policies

These are the most recent policies on Viral Respiratory Illness (VRI). For more Advisories and Policies, click here.

Policy Communiqué: Infection Prevention and Control Measures for Preventing Viral Respiratory Illness
Published March 31, 2025
BC Ministry of Health

Provincial Influenza Prevention Policy
Updated October 7, 2024
Office of the Provincial Health Officer

Viral Respiratory Illness IPC Guidelines

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza – Interim Provincial Infection Prevention and Control Recommendations for Health Care Settings
Created by: PICNet
Updated: March 25, 2025

Acute Care & Ambulatory Settings

Provincial Infection Prevention and Control Guidance for Viral Respiratory Illness in Acute Care and Ambulatory Health Care Settings
Created by PICNet
January 14, 2025

Provincial Outbreak Guidance for Viral Respiratory Illness in Acute Care Settings
Created by PICNet
January 14, 2025

Long-Term Care & Assisted Living Settings

Provincial Infection Prevention and Control Guidance for Viral Respiratory Illness in Long-Term Care and Seniors’ Assisted Living Settings
Created by BC Ministry of Health and PICNet
January 14, 2025

Provincial Outbreak Guidance for Viral Respiratory Illness in Long-Term Care Settings
Created by PICNet
January 14, 2025

Community & Primary Care Settings

Provincial Infection Prevention and Control Guidance for Viral Respiratory Illness in Home and Community Health Care Settings
Created by BC Ministry of Health and PICNet
January 15, 2025

Provincial Infection Prevention and Control Guidance for Viral Respiratory Illness for Primary Care Practitioners and Community-Based Health Care Providers
Created by PICNet
January 15, 2025

Provincial IPC Guidelines for Preventing Viral Respiratory Illness in Community Immunization Clinics
Created by: BC Ministry of Health and PICNet
Updated November 2024

For All Healthcare Settings

Provincial Guidance on Return to Work and Exposure Management for Health Care Workers with Viral Respiratory Illness
Created by: PICNet and BC Ministry of Health
Updated April 2025

Provincial IPC Guidelines for Portable Fans in Health Care Settings in BC
Created by: PICNet
Updated October 2023

Indoor Ventilation Resources

Ventilation is an integral part of an overall strategy to provide acceptable air quality in health-care facilities. Acceptable ventilation helps to reduce the spread of communicable respiratory infectious agents, including respiratory viruses such as SARS-CoV-2, when used in combination with other infection prevention and control and public health measures.

The following resources are provided as an adjunct to support health-care facilities and services in optimizing ventilation:

Archived COVID-19 Resources

The information contained in these documents has been archived and are made available for historical referencing only. The content is no longer being updated and therefore, may not reflect current information or recommendations.

Surgical Resources

PICNet Position Statements

Guidelines from Other Jurisdictions

SARS-CoV-2

Infection prevention and control for COVID-19: Interim guidance for acute health-care settings
Created By: PHAC
June 2021

Updated guidance for infection prevention and control in health care settings when COVID-19 is suspected or confirmed
Created By: PHAC
April 2024

MERS-CoV

Tools for Preparedness: Triage, screening and patient management for Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) infections in acute care settings
Created By: PIDAC
May 2016

Infection Prevention and Control Guidance for Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) in Acute Care Settings 
Created By: Public Health Agency of Canada
June 2016

Influenza

Infection Prevention and Control Measures for health-care workers in Acute Care and Long-term Care Settings: Seasonal Influenza
Created By: Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC)
December 2010

Seasonal Influenza – Infection Prevention and Control Guidance for Management in Home Care Settings
Created By: Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC)
2012

Prevention and control for health care settings: Canadian Pandemic Influenza Preparedness: Planning Guidance for the Health Sector.
Created By: Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC)
April 2021

Pneumonia

Infection Control Guideline for the Prevention of Healthcare-Associated Pneumonia
Created By: Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC)
May 2010

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