Carola Vyhnak reports:
Personal health information for 83,524 people has gone astray with the loss of a USB key in Durham Region.
The device contained data collected from everyone who attended H1N1 or seasonal flu vaccination clinics in the region between Oct. 23 and Dec. 15.
It was lost on regional headquarters property at Rossland Rd. E. and Garden St. in Whitby while being taken to a local clinic, said a health department news release.
The information stored on the USB key includes personal information such as name, address, phone number, date of birth, health card number, doctor’s name and any health details provided at the time of vaccination.
Read more in the Toronto Star.
CityNews.ca adds:
“The Health Department sincerely apologizes for this lapse in protection and safekeeping of personal health information,” officials said in a statement. “The Health Department has contacted both the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care and the Information and Privacy Commissioner to report this situation, and will continue to work co-operatively with both agencies to ensure that all required actions in this unfortunate situation are undertaken.”
The Canadian Press reports that Ontario’s privacy commissioner has launched an investigation.