What is Havana Syndrome?

Havana Syndrome was first brought to light in 2017 after United States officials reported a series of symptoms which originated at the U.S. Embassy in Havana, Cuba in 2016. These symptoms include nausea, tinnitus (ringing in the ears), feelings of fatigue, vertigo, cognitive difficulties, memory issues, balance problems, and more.  Since Havana Syndrome's first reports, many more victims have come forward from different locations across the world.

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What's the cause of Havana Syndrome?

The suspected cause of Havana Syndrome, a mysterious illness that has affected US diplomats and intelligence officials, is still unclear and remains under investigation. However, some experts have suggested that the illness may be the result of directed energy attacks, in which a person is targeted by a beam of high-frequency energy. Visit our                   page for more insight.

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Who has been directly affected by Havana Syndrome?

The exact number of individuals affected by Havana Syndrome is not publicly known. According to news reports, hundreds of US government personnel and their family members, and many individuals from other countries, including Canada and the United Kingdom, have reported experiencing symptoms consistent with the illness. In some cases, the affected individuals were working with or near US government personnel when they reported experiencing symptoms. It's worth noting that the number of reported cases may not necessarily reflect the full extent of the illness, as some individuals may not have reported their symptoms or may not have been aware of the potential connection to Havana Syndrome.

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The Health Incident Response Task Force

The United States Department of State has since started referring to Havana Syndrome as Anomalous Health Incidents, or AHI's. CIA Director William Burns has openly referred to these events as "attacks". While the United States has been investigating Havana Syndrome, the Health Incident Response Task Force (HIRTF) was established in 2018. Their main purpose is to coordinate how the U.S. will respond to incidents such as this one. 

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The US Response to Havana Syndrome

The government has established protocols for assessing and treating individuals who report symptoms, which can include neurocognitive testing and other medical evaluations. Some individuals have also been referred to specialists for further evaluation and treatment. However, some affected individuals have reported difficulty in receiving timely and adequate care, and there have been calls for the government to improve its response to the illness. The HAVANA ('Helping American Victims Affected by Neurological Attacks') Act of 2021, became a law as of October 2021. This authorized federal governments to compensate United States employees and their families that have been affected by Havana Syndrome, as long as they meet the neurological criteria. The compensation will be received as a one-time lump sum payment that ranges from $140,000 to $187,000, depending on the level of brain injury. The government response to Havana Syndrome has included investigations by various agencies, increased security measures at affected locations, and the establishment of a task force to coordinate the government's response. In March 2023, the 

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Is this the first incident of Microwave Frequencies for the United States?

While Havana Syndrome is the most recent event of this kind, this isn't the first experience the United States has had with microwave  frequencies. In 1945, the United States received a seal gifted from the Soviets ("The Great Seal Bug"), and only years later was it realized it was bugged. It is said that the device found inside was triggered via external microwave frequency signals. Dating all the way back to the 1960's, there were the first reports of the United States personnel experiencing this in Moscow, at the U.S. Embassy.