HAVANA SYNDROME

HAVANA SYNDROME

TOPIC: Science & Tech

Context- A recent U.S. intelligence report says that ‘Havana Syndrome’ —a collection of symptoms and related brain injuries, reported by U.S. officials, particularly diplomats in embassies.

Concept-

What is Havana Syndrome?

• ‘Havana Syndrome’ is a colloquial name given to a set of symptoms such as dizziness, hearing loss, headaches, vertigo, nausea, memory loss and possible brain injuries first reported by 16 U.S. Embassy staff and their family members in Havana, Cuba, in 2016-17.
• The symptoms of the syndrome include Nausea, Severe headaches, Fatigue, Dizziness, Sleep problems, Hearing loss.

What did the latest investigation find?

• A panel, constituted by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence and the CIA, said that some of the ‘Havana Syndrome’ cases could have been caused by pulsed electromagnetic energy in the radio frequency.
• The investigation found that it could have been caused by external stimuli and could not be explained by known medical and environmental conditions.
• Psychosocial factors including hypervigilance or reactions to stress especially among individuals who are security-oriented may contribute to long-term effects.

Microwave Weapons:

• Direct Energy Weapon (DEW): They are a type of direct energy weapons, which aim highly focused energy in the form of sonic, laser, or microwaves, at a target.
• They release electromagnetic radiation which causes sensations in the human body.
• Electromagnetic radiation heating the water in the human body makes a person feel dizziness and nausea.