Government Study: Microwave Energy Likely Caused 'Havana Syndrome'

A report from the National Academies of Sciences says the so-called "Havana Syndrome," or neurological symptoms experienced by American diplomats in Cuba and China in 2019, are consistent with those caused by directed microwave energy, but does not conclude if the directed energy was intentionally delivered. 

According to the report, a team of medical experts and scientists studied the symptoms of up to 40 State Department officials and other government employees who reported hearing a loud sound and pressure in their heads before experiencing visual disturbances and dizziness.

NBC News obtained the report. 

The committee said the symptoms were like none ever documented in medical literature, and believe the symptoms were "consistent with the effects of directed, pulsed radiofrequency (RF) energy,” the report says. “Studies published in the open literature more than a half-century ago and over the subsequent decades by Western and Soviet sources provide circumstantial support for this possible mechanism.”

U.S. intelligence officials had long considered Russia a suspect in what was believed to have been attacks on CIA officers and diplomats, but there is nothing conclusive at this point to back that up, several officials briefed on the issue said. 

"The mere consideration of such a scenario raises grave concerns about a world with disinhibited malevolent actors and new tools for causing harm to others as if the U.S. government does not have its hands full already with naturally occurring threats,” says the report.

It was edited by Dr. David Relman, a professor in medicine, microbiology, and immunology at Stanford, and Dr. Julie Pavlin, who leads the National Academies of Sciences global health division in Washington.

A source said to be directly familiar with the matter told NBC that the CIA, through mobile phone location data, determined that some Russian intelligence agents working on microwave weapons programs had been present in cities where CIA officers had reported symptoms.

The State Department and the CIA did not respond to a request for comment, and Russia denies involvement in the reported incidents. 

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