Andy Roesgen
17 May 2021•Update: 18 May 2021
ILLINOIS, US
A National Security Council member was apparently hit with symptoms of the so-called "Havana Syndrome" while near the White House, according to a source for CNN, it was reported on Monday.
The latest incident, reported to have happened several weeks after the presidential election in November, would mark the second time a government official has reported symptoms in the Washington D.C. area.
In 2019, a member of the US military reported that he and his young son were struck by symptoms of severe nausea and headaches while sitting in their car at an intersection. The symptoms faded as they pulled away from the intersection, but the man reportedly sought government medical treatment.
The "Havana Syndrome" dates back to 2016, when it was first noticed in Cuba. Since then, over 130 US and Canadian diplomats, spies and troops stationed there have reported vertigo, headaches, and insomnia.
Then-President Donald Trump blamed the Cuban government, while some at the Pentagon have blamed Russia, but the US State Department has made no determination of responsibility.
There has been speculation that microwave impulses are the cause, but even experts in microwave technology have disputed that.
Either way, the Biden administration said it is taking reports of personnel being sickened "extremely seriously" and a bi-partisan group of US Senate Intelligence Committee leaders said last month they are determined to "get to the bottom" of the incidents.
