23 May 2018•Update: 23 May 2018
By Michael Hernandez
WASHINGTON
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Wednesday an incident involving a U.S. government employee in China was "entirely consistent" with suspected attacks on American diplomatic staff in Cuba.
His comments come as suspected "sonic attacks" experienced by American personnel in Cuba continue to be shrouded in mystery after two dozen U.S. diplomats and their family members reported experiencing a range of symptoms including hearing loss, vertigo and disorientation, usually after hearing a high-pitched sound.
"The medial indications are very similar and entirely consistent with the medical indications that have taken place to Americans working in Cuba," Pompeo told lawmakers while testifying before the House Foreign Affairs Committee.
"We are working to figure out what took place both in Havana, and now in China as well," he added.
The unidentified employee who was assigned to the U.S. consulate in Guangzhou in China reported a variety of symptoms from late 2017 through April 2018 that were evaluated to be "similar to what might be seen in a patient with head concussion or mild traumatic brain injury", the State Department said in an email to Anadolu Agency.
The department will send a medical team to Guangzhou early next week to conduct tests on all consulate employee who request evaluation, spokeswoman Heather Nauert said in the statement.
"The Chinese government has assured us they are also investigating and taking appropriate measures," Nauert said.
The U.S. drew down the vast majority of its diplomatic staff in Cuba following the incidents in 2016, leaving only the minimum number of personnel in the country as ties between Washington and Havana deteriorated.
Cuba has adamantly denied any involvement as the U.S. continues to investigate the still unexplained incidents.
