Latest news with #SouthAustraliaHealth
News.com.au
24-04-2025
- Health
- News.com.au
‘Dark web': Major data breach for Aussie sleep study patients
The names, addresses and other sensitive data of sleep study patients at an Australian women and children's hospital have been leaked after a ransomware attack. South Australia Health confirmed on Thursday the breach of data impacted patients at the Women's and Children's Hospital in Adelaide. A letter sent by technology provider Compumedics revealed the cyber attack took place on March 22 and the data of patients dating back to 2018 had been accessed. More than 2200 patients were 'likely to have been among those impacted', according to SA Health. Chief executive Dr Robyn Lawrence said the breach 'impacted Compumedics software directly and there is no evidence of a breach of any SA Health operated IT system'. 'As soon as Compumedics revealed the initial national ransomware attack we took immediate action to suspend access to the Compumedics software and related devices from our network,' she said. 'Now as soon as we have been made aware that South Australian sleep study patients are likely to be affected, we have taken immediate action to verify that information, notify patients and the public.' Compumedics was contracted by SA Health to provide sleep, brain and other monitoring applications. 'WCHN has taken immediate action to remove the Compumedics software and related devices from the network,' SA Health said in a statement. Compumedics director David Lawson said in a letter to patients the company worked to contain data on the day of the breach but 'some of our files are likely to have been stolen and could be published on the dark web'. 'We sincerely apologise that this incident happened and any impact on you and thank you for your understanding as we continue to work to respond,' he wrote. Dr Lawrence said during a press conference it was 'incredibly disappointing that a third-party provider's security systems were not sufficient to protect our patients' data from outside access'.
Yahoo
18-03-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Toxic ‘sea foam' kills animals and leaves surfers with breathing problems and blurred vision
A toxic 'sea foam' on a South Australian beach has killed scores of animals and caused several surfers to experience breathing issues and blurred vision, said local health authorities. Popular surf spots Waitpinga and neighbouring Parsons beach, some 80km south of Adelaide, were closed on Monday, the Department for Environment and Water said in a statement. The yellowish foam spanning hundreds of metres is likely to be a microalgal bloom, a toxin-producing algae, fuelled by a recent extended period of hot and dry temperatures with little wind and low tides, they added. Surfers reported experiencing blurred vision, itchy eyes, coughing and breathing difficulties after contact with the water. Anthony Rowland said he became 'really raspy' after swimming in the water over the weekend. 'It was sort of like when you inhale a potent cleaning product, if you're cleaning a kitchen sink or something. It hit the back of my throat,' he said. Mr Rowland described the residue as 'a really heavy, dense, yellow foam, with a fair bit of green, slimy, scummy stuff.' 'It is very concerning,' said South Australian Environment Protection Authority principal scientific officer, Sam Gaylard. 'It is unusual at this scale. At this time of year, when the weather conditions allow, we do occasionally get isolated blooms, but something of this scale is definitely a little bit unusual.' A state environment department spokesperson said the beaches had been closed 'in response to a fish mortality event in the area.' Pictures posted on social media showed dozens of dead octopus, sea dragons and fish washed up on the beaches. Mr Gaylard said they were 'not sure how long this will last', saying there's a risk a small ocean swell starting on Sunday could generate more foam. 'We think that it is probably an irritant, so a phytoplankton with some spiky structure to it but we really want to identify what the species is to confirm that,' he added. Mr Gaylard said that marine scientists took water samples from the foam on Monday, but it could take until the end of the week to identify the organism. South Australia Health said there have been no reported hospitalisations linked to the incident. The region has been experiencing drought conditions, with temperatures reaching a high of 39 degrees over the weekend. Blooms of toxic algae occur around the world and can cause mass mortality of aquatic species, especially fish and shellfish. The toxins can also affect water quality by blocking sunlight and depleting oxygen levels. Protect yourself and your family by learning more about Global Health Security Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Telegraph
18-03-2025
- Climate
- Telegraph
Toxic ‘sea foam' kills animals and leaves surfers with breathing problems and blurred vision
A toxic 'sea foam' on a South Australian beach has killed scores of animals and caused several surfers to experience breathing issues and blurred vision, said local health authorities. Popular surf spots Waitpinga and neighbouring Parsons beach, some 80km south of Adelaide, were closed on Monday, the Department for Environment and Water said in a statement. The yellowish foam spanning hundreds of metres is likely to be a microalgal bloom, a toxin-producing algae, fuelled by a recent extended period of hot and dry temperatures with little wind and low tides, they added. Surfers reported experiencing blurred vision, itchy eyes, coughing and breathing difficulties after contact with the water. Anthony Rowland said he became 'really raspy' after swimming in the water over the weekend. 'It was sort of like when you inhale a potent cleaning product, if you're cleaning a kitchen sink or something. It hit the back of my throat,' he said. Mr Rowland described the residue as 'a really heavy, dense, yellow foam, with a fair bit of green, slimy, scummy stuff.' 'It is very concerning,' said South Australian Environment Protection Authority principal scientific officer, Sam Gaylard. 'It is unusual at this scale. At this time of year, when the weather conditions allow, we do occasionally get isolated blooms, but something of this scale is definitely a little bit unusual.' A state environment department spokesperson said the beaches had been closed 'in response to a fish mortality event in the area.' Pictures posted on social media showed dozens of dead octopus, sea dragons and fish washed up on the beaches. Mr Gaylard said they were 'not sure how long this will last', saying there's a risk a small ocean swell starting on Sunday could generate more foam. 'We think that it is probably an irritant, so a phytoplankton with some spiky structure to it but we really want to identify what the species is to confirm that,' he added. Mr Gaylard said that marine scientists took water samples from the foam on Monday, but it could take until the end of the week to identify the organism. South Australia Health said there have been no reported hospitalisations linked to the incident. The region has been experiencing drought conditions, with temperatures reaching a high of 39 degrees over the weekend. Blooms of toxic algae occur around the world and can cause mass mortality of aquatic species, especially fish and shellfish. The toxins can also affect water quality by blocking sunlight and depleting oxygen levels.
