U.S. diplomats in Switzerland and France reported experiencing symptoms associated with the mysterious “Havana syndrome” ailment, an unknown phenomenon that has now been detected on every continent except Antarctica.
The Wall Street Journal reported that at least three diplomats at the U.S. Embassy in Geneva experienced symptoms consistent with Havana syndrome and at least one person was transported to the U.S. for further treatment. One case was also detected in Paris.
Secretary of State Anthony Blinken told MSNBC that the State Department still doesn’t know what is causing the ailments or who, if anyone, is responsible.
“We are working overtime across the entire government to get to the bottom of what happened, who’s responsible,” he said. “And in the meantime to make sure that we’re caring for anyone who’s been affected and to protect all of our people to the best of our ability.”
The first suspected case of the phenomenon was reported in the Cuban capital in 2016, hence its name. Since then, at least 200 U.S. officials have reported cases across the globe.
Staff have reported feeling an intense pressure or loud noise, leading some to speculate it is caused by an ultrasonic attack. Afterward, symptoms typically include dizziness and headaches, but some have reported traumatic brain injuries.
The Biden administration has dubbed the mysterious ailments “Anomalous Health Incidents,” or AHIs. In November, Blinken promised to “get to the bottom” of AHIs.
“We need to do everything possible for our people, to care for them, to protect them, to get to the bottom of what happened,” Blinken said.
CIA Director William Burns warned Russia privately that there would be consequences if Moscow was behind the attacks.