Havana syndrome

American  

[huh-vanuh sin-drohm, -druhm] / həˈvænə ˌsɪn droʊm, -drəm /

noun

1. a cluster of diverse, unexplained medical symptoms first reported by U.S. and Canadian embassy staff in Havana, Cuba, in 2016, also reported later by other U.S. government personnel in other locations.

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Etymology

Origin of Havana syndrome

First recorded in 2017

Example Sentences

There have been many theories about the cause behind the Havana syndrome, and as Salon exclusively reported last year, the wide range of symptoms could be traced to a variety of energy weapons.

From Salon • Apr. 23, 2024

At the beginning of the Biden administration, intelligence agencies began a push to determine the causes of the anomalous health incidents, the government’s term for Havana syndrome.

From New York Times • Feb. 12, 2024

The inquiry, depending on what it discovers and concludes, could reopen the debate over the causes of Havana syndrome, which quieted after the intelligence community said it was not the result of an adversarial country.

From New York Times • Feb. 12, 2024

Earlier in March, U.S. intelligence sources were quoted as saying they had determined that Havana syndrome was not caused by an energy weapon or foreign adversary.

From Salon • Mar. 29, 2023

The report even outlines a possible method of causing Havana syndrome ailments, using small, portable battery-powered devices that employ "commercial off-the-shelf technology."

From Salon • Mar. 29, 2023