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Clinical records have potentially been exposed in a data breach of a Kuujjuaq health centre, which was the victim of a cyberattack.
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The Ungava Tulattavik Health Centre (UTHC) announced Wednesday that the cyberattack was “orchestrated by malicious individuals” in November 2025.
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“UTHC considers this attack a major incident. It is being treated as an absolute priority by our teams, and reinforced measures have been put in place,” UTHC communications officer Nathalie Poirier wrote in the Wednesday statement.
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Preliminary analyses had indicated that no sensitive data was compromised. “However, recent information reveals that files potentially containing clinical and administrative information concerning certain users and employees” may have been leaked, Poirier noted.
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As soon as the incident was detected, Poirier wrote, UTHC teams quickly blocked the attack, plugged the breach and secured the computer network.
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The health centre is working with Santé Québec’s Cyber Defence Operational Centre (CDOC), the Sûreté du Québec, and the Nunavik Regional Board of Health and Social Services (NRBHSS) in the investigation, and to protect data.
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“UTHC understands the concern that this incident may raise. This type of cyberattack is usually carried out by organized and professional groups, which encourages us to remain extremely vigilant,” Poirier added.
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The UTHC has completed a number of measures in response, including creating a crisis unit, implementing surveillance tools for security, and informing financial institutions and Nunavik mayors of the incident.
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While the investigation continues, the health centre urges users and employees to be vigilant by regularly checking bank activity, monitoring online transactions, being alert to suspicious calls and emails, and never sharing passwords, SINs, or credit card numbers over the phone.
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“This cyberattack is a serious event that has resulted in the compromise of sensitive data,” Larry Watt, the executive director of UTHC, said in the statement. He added the health centre “remains fully committed to protecting the information of patients and employees, and to informing the public of developments.”
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A dedicated information service is available to UTHC users and employees. Users can email patient.info.cstu@ssss.gouv.qc.ca or phone 873-505-0920. Employees can email myprivateinfo.cstu@ssss.gouv.qc.ca or phone 514-434-0591.
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