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. 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. 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.
This incident has been reported to the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario. If you have been affected by this breach, you are entitled to make a complaint to:
Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario
2 Bloor Street East, Suite 1400
Toronto, ON
M4W 1A8
Toll Free: 1-800-387-0073
TDD/TTY: 416-325-7539
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. These steps include a full investigation of the incident, working with the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario and reinforcing internal processes around privacy.
The vast majority of people impacted by this incident were individuals who tested positive for influenza between January 2, 2011 and January 3, 2020. If you are concerned that you have been affected by this privacy breach you may contact WDGPH at:
Chief Privacy Officer
160 Chancellors Way
Guelph, Ontario
N1G 0E1
Email: privacy@wdgpublichealth.ca
Phone: 1-800-265-7293 ext. 2975