Havana Syndrome Again: CIA Officer On India Trip Reported Symptoms, Say Reports

A CIA officer travelling to India with Director William Burns this month reported symptoms of Havana syndrome and had to receive medical attention, CNN and NYT reported

A file photo of Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Director William Burns | Photo: AFP

New Delhi: A CIA officer travelling to India with agency director William Burns this month had to receive medical attention after he reported symptoms of Havana syndrome, CNN and The New York Times reported on Monday, citing unnamed sources.

The reports did not identify the victim.

Havana syndrome is a mysterious set of ailments, including migraines, dizziness, nausea, and memory lapses. First reported in 2016 by US officials in the Cuba embassy, Havana syndrome has affected nearly 200 US officials and their family members so far. 

The CIA officer’s case is the second one this year.

In August, US Vice-President Kamala Harris' flight to Vietnam was delayed by several hours after the US officials in Hanoi said someone had reported an “anomalous health incident” consistent with Havana syndrome.

The CIA did not confirm or deny reports about the officer who travelled to India. 

In a statement to news agency Reuters, a spokesperson of the agency said: "We have protocols in place for when individuals report possible anomalous health incidents that include receiving appropriate medical treatment." 

In July, Burns had said a senior officer who once led the search for Osama bin Laden would head a task force that will investigate the health issue. 

The NYT report said the circumstances of the incident were still being investigated, and that it could not be said why the CIA officer might have been targetted. 

Quoting current and former officials, it also said Burns was angered by the incident that set off alarm bells within the US government. 

What Causes Havana Syndrome?

It is yet to be established as to what causes the symptoms of Havana syndrome. While a section of US officials believe these are attacks by rival powers, intelligence agencies have not come to any decisive conclusion yet.

Burns has earlier said there is a "very strong possibility" that Russia could be responsible.

There are theories that claim the symptoms are caused by surveillance technology, but this remains to be proved.

"Directed, pulsed radiofrequency energy" appears to be the most plausible theory, according to a US National Academy of Sciences panel, the Reuters report said.

US government agencies have been stepping up warnings about anomalous health incidents, especially for officials traveling abroad. 

The Pentagon warned its entire workforce last week and said these incidents often involve strange sounds, heat sensation, or pressure, followed by symptoms such as headache, nausea, and vertigo.

Officials have been told to immediately leave the area they are in if they experience such sensations or symptoms.

When such incidents were first reported in Havana in 2016, the diplomats and CIA officers there had reportedly heard strange sounds and then felt headaches and nausea.

A series of incidents that followed in China left many US officials badly affected. Such cases have since been reported from other countries in Asia and also in Europe.