The phenomenon was first reported in Cuba's capital, Havana, in 2016. Diplomats, intelligence personnel and their families described symptoms such as headaches, nausea, dizziness and painful noises in the ears, the BBC reports.
Since then, American personnel stationed in China, Australia, Russia, Germany and Austria, among others, have reported similar symptoms.
There has been wild speculation over the years about what - or who - caused the syndrome. A panel of technical and medical experts has claimed that it involves pulsed electromagnetic energy and ultrasound.
The Russian military intelligence service GRU has been singled out as responsible, but Russia has repeatedly denied involvement.
Several US intelligence agencies concluded in 2023 that it was “unlikely” that a foreign power was behind the mysterious syndrome. But no other explanation was presented.
In March 2024, two American studies by the NIH research institute concluded that Havana syndrome does not cause brain damage. This was after examining over 80 people with MRIs, blood tests, and hearing and vision tests.
The $3 million compensation to those affected is the first to be made. But the Department of Defense says it will continue to prioritize “the care of affected personnel” based on the law passed in 2021.
Facts: The Havana Syndrome
Havana syndrome first came to attention in 2016 when American diplomats in Cuba reported hearing piercing noises at night and feeling sick.
In 2017, the United States withdrew more than half of its staff from the embassy in Havana after employees and their families reported symptoms such as dizziness, nausea and difficulty concentrating.
Similar experiences have been reported from American personnel in China, Australia, Colombia, Russia, Germany and Austria, among others.
This has sparked speculation that a foreign power is behind the phenomenon. Russia has been singled out as responsible, but has repeatedly denied involvement.
Several US intelligence agencies concluded in 2023 that it was "unlikely" that a foreign power was behind the mysterious syndrome.
A panel of technical and medical experts has claimed that it involves pulsating electromagnetic energy and ultrasound.
In March 2024, two American studies concluded that Havana syndrome does not cause brain damage.
Source: BBC
