GUELPH – The local health unit has posted a notice of a privacy breach that occurred on its public website between January and May of this year.
“Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health is informing community members of a recent breach of privacy that affected an information dashboard that was used to display information about influenza cases in our community,” reads an Aug. 25 statement on its website.
“This dashboard was posted on our public website between January 2020 and May 2020.”
The dashboard contained information on individuals with lab confirmed cases of Influenza A and B.
“At no time were the names of clients exposed, however, it was possible to view certain kinds of personal information and personal health information such as the address of a case, specifics about the strain of Influenza and information about their symptoms,” states the WDGPH website.
“Fewer than 100 people accessed the dashboard while it was posted and therefore the risk that any personal information of personal health information was accessed is very low.”
The Information and Privacy Commissioner has been informed and is accepting complaints from anyone affected by the breach.
Complaints can be sent to: Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario at 2 Bloor Street East, Suite 1400, Toronto, ON, M4W 1A8.
Complainsts can also be lodged via phone (toll free: 1-800-387-0073 TDD/TTY: 416-325-7539) or email (info@ipc.on.ca).
“Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health regrets this incident and has taken steps to ensure that similar events will not occur in the future,” officials say.
“These steps include a full investigation of the incident, working with the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario and reinforcing internal processes around privacy.”
Most of the individuals impacted tested positive for influenza between Jan. 2, 2011 and Jan. 3, 2020.
Public health invites people with concerns to contact the Chief Privacy Officer at 160 Chancellors Way, Guelph, Ontario, N1G 0E1 or privacy@wdgpublichealth.ca or 1-800-265-7293 ext. 2975.
In an email, WDGPH communications specialist Danny Williamson said there has not been much response to date.
“Our privacy team has received fewer than five contacts to date. Unfortunately, we can’t be more specific due to privacy reasons,” Williamson stated.
“It is possible that there have been inquiries through our website or call centre … that have not yet been received by the team.”
