A recent media investigation discovered a connection between a strange illness known as “Havana syndrome,” which has produced symptoms similar to head trauma for U.S. diplomats, to potential sound attacks by a Russian intelligence unit.
Havana Syndrome
Based to the joint media research launched on Sunday, strange symptoms, such as brain damage and hearing loss, associated with the so-called Havana syndrome that US diplomats have been experiencing recently are likely the result of a Russian intelligence unit.
The results are in stark contrast to the assessment made by US officials a year prior, which stated that “anomalous health incidents” (AHIs) involving diplomatic personnel in China, Cuba, and other parts of Europe were not brought on by a foreign enemy or energy weapon.
In a related event, the US Defense Department announced on Monday that a senior official who was present at last year’s NATO meeting in Vilnius, Lithuania, reported having identical symptoms.
After a year-long study, new information found in the joint report indicates that Unit 29155 of the Russian GRU most likely developed and used sonic weapons as the cause of Havana syndrome.
The infamous group is in charge of Russia’s military intelligence activities abroad and has been held accountable for a number of foreign incidents, including the 2018 plan to poison defector Sergei Skripal in the UK.
Havana Syndrome Symptoms
Government officials and soldiers in the United States and Canada have documented cases of Havana syndrome, also referred to as anomalous health incidents, especially in foreign locales. Here are the some symptoms of Havana syndrome:
- Migraine
- Headache
- Pressure in Head or Ears.
- Cognitive Dysfunction.
- Auditory disturbances
- Behavioral changes.
- Emotional disturbances.
- Tinnitus
- Vertigo
- Vomiting
- Memory loss
- Anxiety
- Sleeplessness
- Inner Ear Vestibular Damage Persistent
When was the first case of Havana was Reported?
The CIA officers stationed at the U.S. Embassy in Havana reported experiencing severe exhaustion, nausea, as well as stress in their heads in late 2016, which is when the first occurrences of Havana syndrome were reported.
Subsequent brain scans revealed diminished volume and harm to tissues resembling those associated with persistent concussion syndrome. As the United States looked into the incident and sought answers, the majority of the embassy staff was evacuated (the United States immigration office in Havana reactivated in August 2023).
An Insider research, however, indicates that the first cases of Havana syndrome might have happened in Germany two years before the cases in Havana were published. “There were probably incidents two years prior in Frankfurt, Germany, where a strong energy beam-like device rendered a U.S. government official stationed at the consulate comatose, ” the reports stated.
What is the Main cause of Havana syndrome?
The U.S. intelligence community is said to be examining alleged anomalous health incidents, according to the 2024 Annual Threat Assessment, which was cited by the Office of the Director for National Intelligence.
However, the majority of agencies came to the conclusion that it is extremely unlikely that a foreign adversary is accountable for it.”
When U.S. embassy staff in Havana, Cuba, initially reported symptoms in 2016, U.S. intelligence services determined that these symptoms perhaps were caused by a variety of circumstances that weren’t related to a foreign adversary.
It stated that attacks were probably carried out two years prior in Frankfurt, Germany, where a U.S. government worker stationed at the consulate was rendered senseless by something that resembled a powerful energy beam.
The Havana Act, passed by the US Congress in 2021, gave the State Department, CIA, and other agencies of the US government the authority to pay employees and their families who were impacted by an illness while they were assigned.
How can I prevent or mitigate myself from Havana syndrome?
Preventing or mitigating Havana syndrome symptoms remains a challenge due to the lack of a definitive cause. However, here are some general recommendations:
- Stay Informed: If you work in a high-risk environment (such as diplomatic or military postings), be aware of the potential risks associated with anomalous health incidents.
- Report Any Unusual Symptoms: If you experience any unusual symptoms, such as sudden headaches, dizziness, or auditory disturbances, report them promptly to medical professionals.
- Avoid High-Risk Areas: If possible, limit exposure to areas where previous incidents have occurred.
- Protective Gear: Consider using protective gear, such as noise-canceling headphones or earplugs, especially in noisy environments.
- Stress Reduction: Stress may exacerbate symptoms. Practice stress-reducing techniques, such as meditation, exercise, and adequate rest.