US embassy in Cuba to reduce staff, reason 'health attacks'

The state department of United States announced on Friday to reduce the present staff at its embassy situated at Havana in Cuba due to certain health attacks on them.

This move is taken amidst the uncertainty regarding the cause of attacks inflicted upon at least 24 diplomats and their family members in 2011 and 2012, according to CNN.

In January 2018, various diplomats had complained of symptoms including sharp ear pain, headaches, ringing in one ear, vertigo, disorientation, attention issues and signs consistent with mild traumatic brain injury or concussion.

In the majority of such cases, the symptoms were experienced after hearing certain shrill or baffling sounds.

According to an official statement by the state department, "The embassy will operate as an unaccompanied post, defined as a post in which no family members are permitted to reside".

Further, the department has noted that they have begun an investigation into the matter to establish the source of such attacks.

On the other hand, Cuban officials had denied such reports of health attack and termed them to be a result of some mass hysteria.

U.S. secretary Rex Tillerson has also expressed his concern regarding the health, safety and well-being of the U.S. government personnel.

Though the US government has not blamed the Cuban government for such attacks, Secretary Rex Tillerson said that he holds Cuba to be responsible for allowing continuing the health attacks.