The Mysterious Havana Syndrome: (Politically correct term: Anomalous Health Incidents)
The mysterious illness dubbed the Havana Syndrome initially appeared amongst diplomatic staff in Havana, Cuba.
Government personnel and their families at the U.S. embassy in Havana, Cuba, in late 2016, and later at the U.S. consulate in Guangzhou, China, began suffering from a range of unusual — and in some cases suddenly occurring — symptoms such as a perceived loud noise, ear pain, intense head pressure or vibration, dizziness, visual problems, and cognitive difficulties, and many still continue to experience these or other health problems, the national academies reported.
An Assessment of Illness in U.S. Government Employees and Their Families at Overseas Embassies says that among the mechanisms the committee considered, directed, pulsed radio frequency energy appears to be the most plausible mechanism in explaining these cases, especially in individuals with the distinct early symptoms
US officials have reported similar incidents in China, Russia and inside the US. In July 2021, dozens of US diplomats in Germany, and Vienna, reported having been being affected by Havana Syndrome symptoms since US President Joe Biden took office.
The incidents triggered a memo from SecDef Austin:
MEMORANDUM FOR ALL DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE EMPLOYEES SUBJECT: Anomalous Health Incidents
I take very seriously the safety, health, and welfare of our personnel. To that end, I want to address with you a matter of significant concern: what we have called Anomalous Health Incidents (AHi). Although it is unlikely to have affected the vast majority of DoD personnel, I want to provide information on how to report potential AHi.
Over the course ofthe last several years, and predominantly overseas, some DoD personnel have reported a series of sudden and troubling sensory events such as sounds, pressure, or heat concurrently or immediately preceding the sudden onset of symptoms such as headaches, pain, nausea, or disequilibrium (unsteadiness or vertigo).
As part of a government-wide effort, the Department is committed to finding the cause and the source of these AHi and ensuring that affected individuals receive appropriate medical care as quickly as possible when needed.
Timely reporting is essential and starts with you knowing what to do if you experience AHi. If you believe you have experienced a sensory event with the new onset of such symptoms, immediately remove yourself, coworkers, and/or family members from the area and report the incident and symptoms to your chain ofcommand, security officer, and medical provider.
If you have reasons to believe a co-worker or co-workers have likewise experienced AHi, please encourage those individuals to do the same.
Each and every AHi report will be investigated in the same manner as other health and readiness concerns. We want all DoD personnel to be armed with the information they need. Every Soldier, Sailor, Airman, Marine, Guardian, civilian employee, and covered contractor personnel has a responsibility to report suspected incidents through all appropriate channels. Other affected persons, such as dependents, are strongly encouraged to report suspected incidents. Your help and vigilance will help our efforts to fully understand the nature ofthese incidents. For our part, rest assured we will continue to provide updates on AHi through internal DoD information channels.
Thank you for your support.
SEP 15 2021
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