State Department Mystery Illness Continues

The situation over the mysterious attacks which began affecting American diplomats in Cuba and which has recently spread to U.S. officials in China in recent months. Symptoms of the ailment include headaches, nausea, hearing loss, and balance issues.

On Wednesday June 6^th it was reported that the U.S. State Department is evacuating several diplomats and their families from the U.S. consulate in Guangzhou China, after they fell ill with symptoms that are similar to those suffered by  U.S. embassy personnel stationed in Cuba.

According to reports, since 2016 24 government personnel who served in Cuba have been affected with symptoms that present as a minor traumatic brain injury.  On May 16^th a State Department employee in China presented with similar symptoms, representing the first time the incidents appeared outside of Cuba.

This evacuation is the first official sign that this mysterious illness has spread other embassies besides Cuba. This is threating to become a full-blown health crisis for the State Department.

Fears that the damage is the result of  some kind of sonic attack increase as Americans in two different countries are being affected. The exact method of attack is unclear however as no sonic devices have been detected in areas where victims have been located. Another theory suggests that surveillance devices placed too close together are emitting sound waves that are affecting the American personnel.

Whatever the cause for the unexplained incidents State Department officials are expressing frustration as they attempt to investigate. successful causing the State Department to pull diplomats from posts represents an effective way for adversaries to harm U.S. interests while avoiding U.S. retaliation.

A report from University of Pennsylvania Department of Physical Medicine, state that the individuals who experienced the audible or sensory phenomena sustained injury to their brain networks that is similar to concussion although none of the victims experienced head trauma.

The question remains who is attacking United States diplomats around the world. U.S. officials still believe that the illnesses and symptoms are caused by some sort of acoustic of sonic device that operates just outside the range of audible sounds.  Whoever is carry out these attacks it remains the responsibility of the host nation to protect United States diplomats, and the State Department should continue to make clear to the Chinese and Cuban governments that they bear responsibility for failing to uphold that requirement.