U.S. city’s hospital system closes all clinics after ransomware attack

The University of Mississippi Medical Center stands in Jackson, Miss., on May 2, 2018. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis, File)

JACKSON, Miss. — A ransomware attack forced the University of Mississippi Medical Center to close clinics and cancel elective procedures for a second day on Friday.

University officials warned that the shutdown could continue for days as they try to evaluate the extent of the attack and restore network systems they took down as a precaution.

Hospitals and emergency rooms remained open, and patients there were receiving proper care, Vice Chancellor LouAnn Woodward said at a news conference Thursday. She said the attack affected “many systems,” including the electronic health record platform.

“Some of us in the room have been here long enough that we remember taking care of patients with pen and paper,” she said.

Authorities are trying to determine whether patients’ private information was accessed, Woodward said.

She said the attackers had communicated with the university, but she did not disclose their demands. The university is working with the FBI.

The FBI’s top priority is getting systems back up to restore patient care, FBI Special Agent in Charge Robert Eikhoff said at Thursday’s news conference.