Computer virus cripples Waikato DHB

Waikato District Health Board has been crippled by a computer worm which has seen every PC in the organisation shut down.

While the main hospital in Hamilton and smaller outlying hospitals were continuing to function, spokeswoman Mary-Ann Gill said it was important people only came for treatment if it was absolutely necessary.

Emergency care was still available but those arriving for routine appointments were being affected, as were GPs who often made referrals to hospitals via email. "We are asking GPs to only make urgent referrals," she said.