Is high-frequency microwave transmission in India causing “Havana Syndrome” in India? The Karnataka High Court has directed the Central government to look into the matter of the possibility of ‘Havana Syndrome’ in India, in response to a Bengaluru resident’s recent petition.
A petitioner had filed a writ of mandamus for an enquiry on Havana Syndrome in India and the prevention of high-frequency microwave transmission in India. As per international law, a (writ of) mandamus is an order from a court to an inferior government official ordering the government official to properly fulfill their official duties. In India, a writ of mandamus or ‘Mandamus’ means ‘we command’. It is issued by the Court to direct a public authority to perform the legal duties which it has not or refused to perform.
A single-judge bench of Justice Krishna Dixit heard the petitioner and disposed of the petition on July 27 after the Centre’s counsel agreed to examine the case. The Centre has to submit the findings within three months.
What is Havana Syndrome
The sudden and unexplained onset of unusual clinical symptoms including, tinnitus, visual problems, vertigo, and cognitive difficulties, after encountering strange sounds is called “Havana syndrome” (HS).
In Clinical terms, Havana Syndrome is a descriptive condition for an unexplained illness showing symptoms similar to Persistent Postural-Perceptual Dizziness (PPPD), vestibular migraine, traumatic brain injury (TBI), brain fog, headaches, hearing loss, and tinnitus.
The history of the term Havana Syndrome
This incident dates back to the year 2016 and unfolded in Havana, Cuba. An individual assigned to the US Embassy in Cuba was awakened one night at home by severe pain and a sensation of intense pressure in the face, a loud piercing sound in one ear with directional features, and acute disequilibrium and nausea.
He soon exhibited vestibular and cognitive dysfunction. It was discovered that he was not the only one in his office to have reported these symptoms. Several colleagues reported similar health problems. Some reported hearing harsh mechanical sounds and/or experiencing uncomfortable pressure, like the sensation of driving fast in a car with a window partially down. Some sufferers said that at first, they felt like they were being hit with a beam of energy and the other symptoms followed.
What made matters worse is the fact that the mechanisms and origins of the disease were mysterious, and for these and other reasons, there was a delay in recognizing an important cluster of unexplained illnesses, and an early failure to investigate them in a concerted, coordinated, rigorous, and interdisciplinary manner.
Some cases have involved experiencing pain only in specific locations — feeling symptoms in certain hotel rooms or apartments but nowhere else. Since these cases have been widely reported amongst the staff of the US Department of State (DOS) employees in Cuba and China – it has attracted much attention and rampant speculation about the cause(s).
It is said that initially, the US officials believed that Americans in Cuba had been targeted by being subjected to some sonic device which creates sound waves of frequency beyond the human hearing capacity. Now the widespread belief is that the symptoms are an unintended consequence of an energy device to collect data from smartphones or laptops.
In December 2020, US scientists proposed that the symptoms were being caused by a directed, pulsed radio frequency (RF) energy device — a form of energy that includes microwaves. Intel officials have been hard at work, trying to find definitive evidence but failed to prove that the symptoms are being caused by such a device.
A study by the researchers at Department of Neurology, Jefferson Comprehensive Epilepsy Centre, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35962646/) concluded that the Havana syndrome is a nonspecific neurological illness with an unidentified causative factor(s), an acute phase of auditory-vestibular symptoms and a chronic phase of nonspecific neurobehavioral symptoms. This syndrome should be considered and investigated as a health concern, and not as a political issue.
Medical or Clinical wisdom on Havana Syndrome
Dr Pavan Pai, Consultant Interventional Neurologist, Wockhardt Hospitals, Mira Road (Mumbai) shared with The Organiser the health science behind Havana Syndrome:
Symptoms of Havana Syndrome
The symptoms associated with Havana Syndrome vary but commonly include:
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Vertigo
- Nausea
- Hearing loss
- Cognitive difficulties
- Fatigue
- Sensation of pressure or vibration in the head
Causes of Havana Syndrome
The exact cause of Havana Syndrome is still not definitively established. Various theories have been proposed, including exposure to sonic or electromagnetic energy, possibly as a result of intentional or unintentional surveillance devices. Some experts speculate that it could be due to directed energy weapons, while others suggest psychological factors might contribute.
How Havana Syndrome is diagnosed
Diagnosing Havana Syndrome can be challenging because the symptoms are non-specific and may overlap with other medical conditions. Diagnosis involves ruling out other potential causes of the reported symptoms and considering the circumstances in which they occurred.
Treatment of Havana Syndrome
As of my last knowledge update in September 2021, there is no specific treatment designed exclusively for Havana Syndrome. Individuals who experience these symptoms are typically treated based on their specific symptoms, which might include therapies for headaches, cognitive difficulties, and other associated conditions.
Treatability and chances of Reversal of Havana Syndrome
Havana Syndrome depend on the underlying cause. If the syndrome is indeed caused by some form of external energy exposure, the potential for reversibility would depend on the extent of damage caused to the affected individuals. Some individuals may experience partial or full recovery with appropriate medical care and support, while others might have lingering symptoms.
It’s important to note that research and investigation into Havana Syndrome are ongoing, and there may have been developments or new insights since my last update. If you are seeking the most up-to-date and accurate information, I recommend consulting reliable medical sources or news outlets.
What the US Government found
According to a report (npr.com), the US intelligence community has concluded that a foreign country was not responsible for the so-called Havana Syndrome ailments involving their officials working overseas. It says that the vast majority of those cases have been resolved and were linked to causes such as existing medical conditions.
