Havana Syndrome

In late 2016, a strange phenomenon appeared, afflicting dozens of U.S. and Canadian diplomats based in Havana, Cuba with a range of neurological symptoms. These ranged from nausea and "brain fog", to intense ear pain, vertigo, and memory issues. Some described a sensation of "directional pressure" in the skull. Medical scans later showed signs of mild traumatic brain injury - yet no physical impact had occured.

Some patients described a strange noise - harsh buzzing sounds, which they managed to capture with recording devices. Others heard nothing at all. Acoustic experts suggested that the sound matched the call of the Indies short-tailed cricket. This was generally accepted until the symptoms started to spread. By 2018, cases had appeared in China, Germany, Washington D.C, Serbia, and Columbia. Different continents, different environments, yet the same range of debilitating symptoms.

While multiple agencies appear to have launched inquiries - none have managed to determine the cause and instances of Havana Syndrome have been labeled "Anomalous Health Incidents". None of them have stated that the symptoms aren't real - just that they cannot work out why dozens of government employees across the world are experiencing them.

If it were mass hysteria, the brain scans wouldn't have shown anything. If it were crickets, then the symptoms wouldn't appear in soundproofed rooms. If it was environmental, then it would be a localised phenomenon rather than a worldwide mystery. If it's naturally ocurring, then why did the U.S. Senate pass a bill in 2021 to provide substantial pay-outs to the afflicted?

Is this the result of a new type of weapon, a strange experiment, or something even more sinister?