Ireland’s healthcare service has been forced to close down its computers systems due to a “significant ransomware attack”.

The Health Service Executive (HSE), confirmed on Twitter this morning (14th May) that it had shut down IT systems as a precaution due to the ongoing situation.

“There is a significant ransomware attack on the HSE IT systems,” the Irish health service said.

“We have taken the precaution of shutting down all our IT systems in order to protect them from this attack and to allow us full assess the situation with our own security partners,” the tweet added.

The health service said more information on the cyber-attack will be published “as it becomes available” and reassured the public that vaccinations will continue to go ahead as planned.

Vaccination registration services will also continue, despite the disruption.

Speaking to Irish television broadcaster RTE this morning, HSE chief executive Paul Reid said cybersecurity staff are working hard to contain the issue.

Healthcare IT systems at both a local and national level have been impacted by the cyber-attack, Reid revealed.

Rotunda Hospital in Dublin has cancelled scores of outpatient appointments, including maternity appointments.

In a statement, the hospital clarified the situation, noting that exceptions will be applied to patients who are 36 weeks pregnant or later.

The hospital added that members of the public should also attend if faced with an emergency situation.

There is a significant ransomware attack on the HSE IT systems. We have taken the precaution of shutting down all our our IT systems in order to protect them from this attack and to allow us fully assess the situation with our own security partners.

— HSE Ireland (@HSELive) May 14, 2021

“The Rotunda Maternity Hospital is experiencing a major ransomware/cyber-attack which is effecting all of the hospital’s electronic systems and records,” the statement reads.

“Staff at the hospital are working to resolve the issue. The only exception are for patients who are 36 weeks or over pregnant. Otherwise you are asked not to attend at the Rotunda unless it is an emergency,” it adds.

The Irish health service incident is the latest in a string of major ransomware attacks in recent weeks.

In the United States, authorities were forced to take drastic action when a ransomware attack shut down a major fuel pipeline earlier this week.

Fuel prices spiked in the wake of the attack on Colonial Pipeline, which is the operator of one of the country’s largest fuel pipelines.

Colonial Pipeline has resumed operations since the attack. However, the incident raises serious concerns over infrastructural resilience in the US.