Report: US diplomats in Paris and Geneva hit by Havana syndrome

News agencies

13/01/2022

Thursday, 13 January 2022, 19:11 Updated: 19:14

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U.S. diplomats in Paris and Geneva have apparently been affected by the mysterious disease known as "Havana Syndrome," and at least one of them is seeking medical treatment in the United States, the Wall Street Journal reported Thursday. The suspected attacks took place last summer, and were reported to senior officials at both missions and eventually to the State Department in Washington.

In Geneva, at least three Americans working at the city’s consulate, which is delayed by many international organizations, were apparently affected by the syndrome. According to the report, at least one of them is applying from Switzerland to the United States to continue medical treatment.

About 200 Americans have experienced the mysterious phenomenon in recent years, which was first reported in the Cuban capital more than five years ago, and from there received its nickname. The incidents have occurred in various cities across Europe, China and South America, and the United States has not yet been able to find out who is behind them or the attack mechanism.

The administration stated last year that it is investing a lot of resources in investigating the attacks, and a senior CIA official has even been appointed to oversee it.

In October, President Joe Biden signed a law promising to increase government medical assistance to injured representatives.

Symptoms include headaches, fatigue, cognitive problems, ringing in the ears, dizziness and problems with vision, hearing and balance.

Many suffer from the symptoms years after the incident, and some have been diagnosed with brain trauma injuries.

"Currently, we do not know exactly what is happening and we do not know exactly who is responsible," US Secretary of State Anthony Blinkan said in an interview with MSNBC.

Blinken said the United States had raised the issue with Russia, which had previously been mentioned as a possible suspect, but Washington has not yet been able to determine who is responsible.

Moscow has in recent years denied any connection to the mysterious incidents.

Blinken, who recently met with victims of the syndrome, assured that the administration is working around the clock to get to the root of the matter.

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