UNITED STATES NEWS

Ransomware attack disables computers at blood center serving 250 hospitals in southeast US

Jul 31, 2024, 11:41 AM

FILE - A health care worker walks by the Big Red Bus from OneBlood outside at Cano Health in Hialea...

FILE - A health care worker walks by the Big Red Bus from OneBlood outside at Cano Health in Hialeah, Fla., July 29, 2020. Oneblood, which serves much of the southeast United States, is facing a ransomware attack, officials said Wednesday, July 31, 2024. (David Santiago/Miami Herald via AP)
Credit: ASSOCIATED PRESS

(David Santiago/Miami Herald via AP)

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — A not-for-profit blood center serving much of the southeastern United States is facing a ransomware attack, officials said Wednesday.

OneBlood said the attack had disabled its information technology, forcing it to operate at a reduced capacity in Florida, Georgia and the Carolinas. To manage its blood supply, the blood center was asking more than 250 hospitals to activate their critical blood shortage protocols. The blood center also was using manual processes to maintain basic operations, officials said.

OneBlood is working with cybersecurity specialists as well as federal, state and local agencies to determine the scope of the attack and how to respond, officials said.

“We are working diligently to restore full functionality to our systems as expeditiously as possible,” Susan Forbes, OneBlood’s senior vice president of corporate communications and public relations, said in a statement.

Blood centers across the U.S. were sending extra blood and platelets to OneBlood, which said there’s a particular need for O-positive and O-negative blood.

United States News

Teachers picket outside Beverly, Mass. High School after going on strike, Friday Nov. 8, 2024, in B...

Associated Press

Teachers in 2 Massachusetts school districts go on strike

BOSTON (AP) — Teachers in two Massachusetts school districts went on strike Friday over pay, paid parental leave and other issues. Teachers in Beverly and Gloucester voted Thursday to authorize a strike and schools were closed Friday as teachers in both districts hit the picket line. Although the cities are only about 12 miles (19 […]

12 minutes ago

FILE - A lifeguard hut rests on its side after Hurricane Milton, Oct. 11, 2024, at Clearwater Beach...

Associated Press

Sea turtle nests increased along a Florida beach but hurricanes washed many away

CLEARWATER, Fla. (AP) — Sea turtle nests increased this year along a stretch of Florida’s Gulf Coast before a trio of hurricanes washed many of them away, aquarium officials said Friday. There were 271 nests documented by the Clearwater Marine Aquarium this year along a 21-mile stretch of beach that their teams patrol during nesting […]

22 minutes ago

Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump, joined by Melania Trump, left, and B...

Associated Press

Judge cancels court deadlines in Trump’s 2020 election case after his presidential win

WASHINGTON (AP) — The judge overseeing Donald Trump’s 2020 election interference case canceled any remaining court deadlines Friday after prosecutors said they need time to assess “the appropriate course going forward” after the Republican’s presidential victory this week. Special Counsel Jack Smith charged Trump last year with plotting to overturn the results of the 2020 […]

31 minutes ago

New York City Mayor Eric Adams exits from the US federal court house in New York, Friday, Nov. 01, ...

Associated Press

Ex-aide to NYC Mayor Eric Adams in plea discussions with federal prosecutors

NEW YORK (AP) — A former aide to New York City Mayor Eric Adams is discussing a possible plea deal with federal prosecutors following his arrest last month on charges of witness tampering and destroying evidence, court papers show. Mohamed Bahi, who served as City Hall’s chief liaison to the Muslim community, was arrested last […]

43 minutes ago

Associated Press

Trump’s election likely to usher in leadership change at FBI

WASHINGTON (AP) — Donald Trump lavished Christopher Wray with praise when he named him FBI director in 2017, introducing him as an “impeccably qualified individual” and a “model of integrity.” So much has changed in the seven years since. With Trump poised to reclaim the White House, Wray’s days as director are likely numbered. Though […]

60 minutes ago

Donald Trump speaks at an election night watch party, joined by a crew of longtime friends, aides a...

Associated Press

A guide to key figures in Donald Trump’s orbit

WASHINGTON (AP) — Donald Trump will return to the White House accompanied by a crew of longtime friends and aides as well as newfound, splashy allies. The Republican president-elect has barely begun naming key figures in his administration, but he has kept a rotation of associates with him on and off the campaign trail in […]

1 hour ago

Sponsored Articles

...

Day & Night Air Conditioning, Heating and Plumbing

Why a Heating Tune-Up is Essential Before Winter

PHOENIX, AZ — With cooler weather on the horizon, making sure your heating system is prepped and ready can make all the difference in staying comfortable this winter.

...

Morris Hall

West Hunsaker, through Morris Hall, supports Make-A-Wish Foundation in Arizona

KTAR’s Community Spotlight this month focuses on Morris Hall and its commitment to supporting the Make-A-Wish Foundation in Arizona.

...

Day & Night Air Conditioning, Heating and Plumbing

It wouldn’t hurt to get your AC checked after Arizona’s excruciating heat wave

A well-maintained air conditioning unit is vital to living a comfortable life inside, away from triple-digit heat in Arizona.

Ransomware attack disables computers at blood center serving 250 hospitals in southeast US