About 531,000 people who had records in a state agency’s hacked prescription-monitoring database will receive letters this week advising them to keep close watch on their credit record. The Virginia Department of Health Professions issued similar advice last month after the hacking of the Internet-accessed database surfaced April 30 but now is notifying people individually to take precautions.

Virginia Health Professions officials said they don’t have any evidence that personal information was stolen by hackers who accessed a Web site that collects data on some patient prescriptions. Nonetheless, the department is advising patients and providers who may have data in Prescription Monitoring Program files to be extra vigilant over the next 12 to 24 months in reviewing their financial statements and credit reports.