Havana Syndrome: Origin, Causes, and Symptoms

Context

A mysterious health condition known as ‘Havana syndrome’ affected US diplomats and spies across the world.

• Personnel stationed around the globe with “Havana Syndrome” have reported unexplained symptoms such as dizziness.

Havana Syndrome

• About: Havana syndrome refers to a set of mental health symptoms that are said to be experienced by United States intelligence and embassy officials in various countries. 
• Origin: It traces its roots to Cuba in late 2016 after the US opened its embassy in the capital city of Havana when ties between the two countries were normalized in 2015. 
• Havana Syndrome in India: In India, the first such case was reported in 2021 when a US intelligence officer traveling to New Delhi reported symptoms of Havana Syndrome.

Causes of Havana syndrome

• Targeting by Russian Military Unit with Directed Energy Weapons: The investigation claims that members of a Russian military intelligence unit, called 29155, could have targeted the brains of US officials by using “directed energy” weapons. 
  • The 29155 unit, which has been operational for more than a decade, has been previously accused of carrying out foreign assassination, subversion, and sabotage.
• Sonic Attack: It is being argued that the syndrome was a “sonic attack”, which was carried out by Cuba which had been hostile to the US for over five decades.
• High-powered Microwaves: It was suspected that beams of high-powered microwaves were sent through a special gadget called a “microwave weapon”.
  • The pressure built inside the brain generated the feeling of a sound being heard.
  • Greater exposure to high-powered microwaves is said not only to interfere with the body’s sense of balance but also to impact memory and cause permanent brain damage. 
  • Low levels of microwaves are also emitted from mobile phones but they are not targeted.

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