A malicious virus struck the Waikato District Health Board’s computer system Thursday, as it was being upgraded.

After the Conficker virus entered the DHB’s IT system, hospital staff shut down 3000-computers across the Waikato District Health Board (DHB) region, with parts of the system back in use last night.

Conficker gained access to computers running Microsoft software by exploiting a security hole in the Windows Server service used by Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2008 and Windows 7 Beta.

According to Alan Hesketh, Deputy Director General of Health Information Directorate of the Health Ministry, the virus attack was a random one, a part of ‘Malware’s’ (malicious software) ongoing appearance in the digital world.

While, the Waikato DHB successfully countered these attacks in day-to-day operations, the virus managed to strike when its IT system was under extensive upgrade. Even though computer systems of all health boards were connected, none of the other IT systems reported being attacked by the Conficker virus.

The Health Ministry paying close attention has learnt from the attack to ensure it does not occur elsewhere, shutting down the Waikato system to prevent patients from being put at risk.

Yesterday, clinics ran as normal, as will elective surgeries, clinics and operating theatres on Monday, while Waikato Hospital’s switchboard, emergency department and operation centre were back online, last night.

Lab testing was limited, with administrative staff acting as ‘runners’ to get test results to wards.