Quebec City ambulance dispatch hit by ransomware attack

An ambulance operates in the winter. FILE (Daniel J. Rowe/CTV News)

The ambulance dispatch centre in Quebec City was the victim of a ransomware cyber attack this week.

The Quebec City health services communication centre (CCSC) says, "The situation is not currently affecting services to the public."

"A contingency plan was quickly put in place," the CCSC said. "For the time being, this computer attack is not having any impact on ambulance coverage, response times or the taking of calls for pre-hospital services. Calls are being prioritized as normal. Ambulances have been added."

The Quebec City health care centre (CIUSSS-CN) said notices were sent to staff to increase their vigilance.

IT teams at the CIUSSS are working to rectify the situation.

The CIUSSS-CN said on Friday that ambulance coverage in the Capitale-Nationale, Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean and Nord-du-Québec regions remain unaffected.

"The contingency plan is still in force, enabling pre-hospital emergency services to be provided to the public despite this computer attack," CIUSSS-CN spokesperson Annie Ouellet said.

Ouellett adds that ambulances, staff and other resources are being added, and calls are being prioritized so there is "no impact on call handling times."