Another US diplomat hit by mysterious disease in Cuba

Another American diplomat has been hit by a mysterious disease in Cuba, the state department said today.

On June 28, following a comprehensive medical evaluation, one US diplomat working at the US Embassy in Havana was medically confirmed to have experienced health effects similar to those reported by other members of the US Havana diplomatic community, said State Department spokesperson Heather Nauert.

As previously announced, another diplomat working at US Embassy in Havana was medically confirmed on June 21 to have experienced similar health effects.

These are the first medically-confirmed cases in Havana since August 2017. Both cases result from a single occurrence in late May in a diplomatic residence in which both officers were present, Nauert said.

As such, the number of Americans now affected is 26, she said adding that the health and well-being of US personnel remains the administration's top priority.

The interagency community continues to work diligently to determine the cause of the symptoms, as well as develop mitigation measures, she said.

The US has informed the Cuban Government of these "attacks" on May 29.

The Cuban government assured us that it will continue its investigation. We strongly remind the Cuban government of its responsibility under the Vienna Convention to protect our diplomats, she said.