3 Octapharma Plasma centers in Columbus among those across U.S. closed by 'network issues'

Octapharma Plasma says all of its more than 195 blood-plasma collection centers in 35 states nationwide — including three in Columbus — have been closed by what the company is blaming on IT "network issues."

"All centers are experiencing network issues and are currently closed," a banner atop the firm's website states. "Further updates on reopening will be sent via email, social media, OctaApp, and our website."

The company's plasma centers in Columbus are located at 3467 Cleveland Ave., on the North Side; 83b Great Southern Blvd., off South High Street/U.S. 23, on the Far South Side; and 2740 Brice Road, on the Southeast Side, near Reynoldsburg. None of the three Columbus centers could be reached by phone Friday morning through various options on its automated phone system.

The closures affect donations of plasma, which makes up 55% of a person's blood and is the liquid that helps carry antibodies, proteins, enzymes and clotting capabilities. It is used to help people suffering from trauma, burns and other medical emergencies, as well as to create medications to help people with hemophilia and autoimmune disorders. Donors are paid for their plasma.

A majority of plasma collected at Octapharma Plasma centers in the U.S. is sent to Europe, where parent firm, Octapharma AG, a Switzerland-based, family-owned health care and pharmaceutical firm, has manufacturing plants. Octapharma AG says on its website that it is the largest privately owned and independent plasma fractionator in the world, using human plasma from its plasma donor centers and human cell lines to produce medicines.

Neither Octapharma Plasma nor its parents have elaborated on their websites on the cause of the ongoing network issues that hit the centers Monday, including whether they may be the result of hackers using BlackSuit ransomware that has been employed against other health care providers, including hospitals and other medical facilities.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services issued a warning last November about BlackSuit ransomware targeting health care providers, including public health organizations.

jwilhelm@dispatch.com