The Durham Regional Health Department has lost a USB key containing the personal health information of more than 80,000 people.
The key went missing while it was being taken to a flu vaccination clinic. Durham health officials claim an exhaustive search for the device has turned up nothing.
The storage unit contains sensitive information about every single person who visited an H1N1 and seasonal flu vaccination clinic in Durham Region between Oct. 23 to Dec. 15 – that’s 83,524 people.
The information on that USB key includes clients' names, addresses, phone numbers, dates of birth, health card numbers and the names of their doctors. Officials say the ability to read that data is limited.
“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.”
Letters will be sent to everyone listed on that device. Anyone with questions or concerns is urged to contact the Durham Regional Health Unit at 1-800-841-2729.