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Cite as: CMAJ 2017 June 5;189:E786-7. doi: 10.1503/cmaj.1095434
A cyber-attack that affected more than 60 trusts within the United Kingdom’s National Health Service (NHS) has spread to more than 200 000 computer systems in 150 countries, including Canada. One hospital in Ontario - Lakeridge Health in Oshawa - reported that its computer system was threatened by the ransomware. The hospital’s antivirus software contained the threat, however, and patient care and access to health records were not affected.
Hospitals and general practitioners’ offices in the UK were not as fortunate, however. On May 12, the “WannaCry” ransomware began affecting dozens of NHS facilities. Eventually, more than 60 NHS trusts were hit. Many facilities could not access patient records, which led to delays of non-urgent surgeries and cancelled patient appointments. Some hospitals had to divert ambulances to other facilities.
According to UK Health Secretary...