Hackers reportedly targeted refrigeration systems used by the French Blood Establishment (EFS), changing temperature settings from around -30°C to 110°C and potentially putting blood samples and plasma intended for medical transfusions at risk.
The attack took place overnight between November 1 and 2, 2026, and reportedly involved Coolworld, a company responsible for supplying and maintaining refrigeration equipment at healthcare facilities.
According to French media reports, facilities in the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region were among those affected.
France’s Health Ministry confirmed that an on-call technician detected the unusual temperature changes during the night, allowing staff to take immediate action and prevent operational disruption.
Initial reports suggested that the affected refrigeration units contained donor samples used for blood safety monitoring. However, EFS later confirmed that frozen blood plasma intended for transfusions was also stored in the affected equipment.
Authorities have not reported any loss of plasma, disruption to transfusion services, or harm to patients.
The reported 110°C figure refers to the temperature setting entered into the refrigeration control system rather than the actual temperature reached inside the freezers.
Fresh frozen plasma must be stored at -25°C or below, as prolonged exposure to higher temperatures could make it unsuitable for transfusions.
The identity of the hackers and the method used to access the refrigeration systems remain unknown. Authorities have also not disclosed the number of affected units or how long the altered settings remained in place.
The post Hackers Increase Blood Bank Temperature Above Boiling Point in France appeared first on ProPakistani.
