CIA investigates Havana Syndrome

CIA Director William Burns said he has stepped up his agency's efforts to determine the cause of a mysterious health situation that affects American diplomats.

The disease causes various symptoms, including dizziness, nausea, migraines, and memory loss.

The disease has been called Havana Syndrome because it first appeared at the American Embassy in Havana in 2016, affecting dozens of diplomats.

In years later, dozens of new cases have been reported to US diplomatic facilities in China, Russia, Europe and Central Asia.

Last week, the administration of the US president, Joe Biden, said he is investigating reports of dozens of intelligence officers, diplomats and other officials in Vienna who have complained about symptoms similar to those of Havana Syndrome.

In an interview for US National Public Radio, Burns said there is a very large “possibility for symptoms to be caused deliberately.

He said he has appointed a senior officer to lead a task-force, investigating syndrome.

I am absolutely determined to find the answer to what and who causes this”, Burns said.

He said about half of the 200 American officials and affected family members are CIA officers or their relatives.