CIA Findings Into Mystery Syndrome That Only Seems To Affect US Officials Revealed

The CIA has revealed its findings into Havana syndrome, a bizarre condition affecting US diplomats around the world.

American officials, including military and intelligence officers, have reported a range of unexplained symptoms such as dizziness, headaches, nausea, hearing and vision loss, memory problems, and a painful sound in their ears, likened by some to travelling fast in the car with the window down.

These reports first emerged out of Cuba in 2016, but cases have since been recorded in Russia, Poland, Austria, Georgia, Taiwan, Colombia, China, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and even the UK. It's been estimated that as many as 200 officials have experienced Havana syndrome in some way, almost half of whom being CIA agents or their families, with some now battling chronic ailments.

While speculation has long been raised suggesting Russia, China or another foreign adversary could be responsible for inflicting these symptoms, whether it be via a covert sonic weapon or foreign forces weaponising the effects of data-gathering technology, a new intelligence assessment has ruled out a 'sustained global campaign by a hostile power', as per NBC News.

There are around two dozen cases in which the agency can't rule out foreign involvement, but the vast majority have been caused by occupational stress or natural causes, officials said, leaving those suffering the symptoms angry at the lack of answers.

As reported by BBC News, the CIA has 'so far not found evidence of state-actor involvement in any incident', attributing most cases to 'medical conditions or environmental and technical factors, including previously undiagnosed illnesses'.

The official also said it was 'unlikely that a foreign actor, including Russia, is conducting a sustained, worldwide campaign, harming US personnel with a weapon or mechanism'.

The Advocacy for Victims of Havana Syndrome group criticised the findings. 'The CIA’s newly issued report may be labelled ‘interim’ and it may leave open the door for some alternative explanation in some cases, but to scores of dedicated public servants, their families, and their colleagues, it has a ring of finality and repudiation,' a spokesperson said.

'We have reason to believe the interim report does not even represent the consensus of the full CIA, instead reflecting the views of a subset of officials most interested in resolution and closure.'

CIA Director William Burns has insisted investigations into Havana syndrome will continue. 'While we have reached some significant interim findings, we are not done. We will continue the mission to investigate these incidents and provide access to world-class care for those who need it,' he said.

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