- In late 2016, multiple U.S. diplomats in Cuba began experiencing strange symptoms, which later became known as the Havana Syndrome.
- A research revealed significant brain changes in the diplomats as compared to a control group.
- A recent report claims the symptoms most likely occurred from exposure to microwave energy.
Between 2016 and 2018, several U.S and Canadian diplomats in Havana, Cuba, reported experiencing strange symptoms. These included headaches, nausea, hearing loss and loss of balance. Some also reported hearing high-pitched sounds that no one around them could hear. These set of mysterious symptoms later became known as the Havana syndrome.
According to the victims, they mostly heard the strange sounds in their homes or hotel rooms. Furthermore, many of the victims suffered long-lasting effects of the symptoms. One even required the use of a hearing aid. The U.S. government, blamed these symptoms on ‘sonic attacks’ conducted by Cuba on its agents. This has considerably strained diplomatic relations between the two countries.
Previously, a study published in the journal JAMA, revealed significant brain changes in 40 U.S diplomats stationed in Cuba between 2016 and 2018. The researchers conducted MRI scans on 40 diplomats and compared it with 48 control patients. Among other changes, they also observed lower white matter volumes in the diplomats. This can disrupt the transfer of information between different parts of the brain and result in decreased sensory perception. Although they found evidence of brain injury in the patients, the study could not determine the cause.
Whatever happened was not due to a pre-existing condition, because we test for that. It’s not imagined, all I can say is that there is truth to be found.
Ragini Verma, JAMA study co-author
Havana Syndrome Caused by The Frey Effect
The U.S. state department tasked the U.S National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine with investigating this syndrome further. The committee was required to review the cases and provide a possible cause.
In the past researchers have put forward multiple theories explaining the mechanism behind the syndrome. These include Zika virus, use of pesticides, mass hysteria and even crickets. After investigating the clinical history, reviewing reports by the CDC and interviewing patients, the committee was left with just one final theory. Pulsed radio frequency energy.
According to the report, ‘the Frey effect’ was the ‘most plausible’ explanation for the syndrome. The phenomenon occurs from exposure to microwave radiation. This results in people experiencing a ‘buzz, clicking, hiss or knocking’ sound.
Science Fiction More Than Science
It is worth noting that the committee possessed limited medical data from the victims. The lack of data, therefore, makes it difficult to prove how microwaves can cause the syndrome. Instead, the report only states it as the ‘most plausible’ explanation after ruling out the rest.
Furthermore, according to Kenneth Foster, the man who first described the ‘Frey effect’, a lot of energy is required for the radiation to produce barely audible sounds. Therefore, making the report’s suggestion highly unlikely.
Maybe someone went to the trouble to truck in a large microwave transmitter to cause the employees to hear ‘clicks,’ but there are simpler ways to harass people than that.
Kenneth Foster, University of Pennsylvania bioengineer
Reference:
Verma R, Swanson RL, Parker D, et al. Neuroimaging Findings in US Government Personnel With Possible Exposure to Directional Phenomena in Havana, Cuba. JAMA. 2019;322(4):336–347. doi:10.1001/jama.2019.9269
National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2020. An Assessment of Illness in U.S. Government Employees and Their Families at Overseas Embassies. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. https://doi.org/10.17226/25889.
