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New 'sonic' attack reported in Cuba, 19 Americans now affected
19 Americans and 1 Canadian working at the US embassy in Havana have been affected. US diplomats are being attacked surreptitiously and it is feared some of the sonic-damage may be permanent.
By CONOR FINNEGAN Sep 1, 2017
Nineteen Americans are suffering from a range of symptoms, including mild traumatic brain injury and hearing loss, related to mysterious "sonic harassment" attacks in Cuba -- with a new incident reported just last month. Previously, U.S. officials said the incidents started in December 2016 and ended this past spring. But State Department spokesperson Heather Nauert revealed Friday that a new incident occurred in August and is now part of the ongoing investigation. "We can’t rule out new cases as medical professionals continue to evaluate members of the embassy community," warned Nauert, who has described the situation as "unprecedented." The U.S. government, including the FBI, continue to investigate who and what are behind the incidents, but with no firm answers so far. The American Foreign Service Association said Friday that its representatives met this week in Washington, D.C., with Foreign Service Officers posted at the U.S. embassy in Havana who have faced diagnoses including mild traumatic brain injury and permanent hearing loss, but also loss of balance, severe headaches, cognitive disruption and brain swelling.
Sources have told ABC News that some U.S. officials were exposed to a sonic device in Havana that caused serious health problems and physical symptoms. Sound waves above and below the range of human hearing could potentially cause permanent damage, medical experts have told ABC News. No device or piece of equipment has been discovered yet, according to Nauert. Some of the affected Americans are still experiencing symptoms "because the symptoms are experienced at different times, because the symptoms are different in various people," according to a State Department official. The Cuban government, which denies any involvement, is said to be cooperating with the ongoing U.S. investigation, but the two governments are not working together on the matter. "What has happened there is of great concern to the U.S. government," Nauert has said, defending the U.S.'s response. "Let me just reassure you that this is a matter that we take very seriously.... It is a huge priority for us and we're trying to get them all the care that they need." There have been no reports of other embassies experiencing this, a senior State Department official said.
19 Americans and 1 Canadian working at the US embassy in Havana have been affected. US diplomats are being attacked surreptitiously and it is feared some of the sonic-damage may be permanent.