France blood supply cold stores hit by cyberattack

Cold stores holding donated blood supplies in France were targeted by a cyberattack, but authorities said there was no health impact and no reported loss of blood products.

The French Blood Establishment said a cybersecurity incident on Monday targeted a refrigeration service provider and affected monitoring and control systems at three sites.

The cold stores contained blood samples and bags of plasma intended for transfusions and medicine manufacturing. French magazine Le Canard Enchaine reported that the stores were programmed to reach 110C instead of -30C.

The French Blood Establishment said no blood products had been lost. Health Minister Stephanie Rist's office said monitoring and alarm systems ensured the safety of the blood supplies.

The health ministry said investigations had begun into how the incident happened. It gave no indication of who might have been behind the cyberattack.

The incident came after suspected hacks targeting supermarket refrigeration systems caused disruption in Europe in recent days.