"Unusual Health Issue"... US Vice President's Vietnam Visit Delayed by Several Hours

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Suhwan] Ahead of U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris's visit to Vietnam on the 24th (local time), her departure was delayed by several hours due to health concerns that arose locally.

According to foreign media, Vice President Harris was scheduled to board a flight to Vietnam after completing her visit to Singapore in the afternoon, but the departure was postponed for three hours.

The U.S. Embassy in Vietnam issued a statement explaining that the delay was due to an "anomalous health incident."

The term "anomalous health incident" is often used by the U.S. government to describe the so-called "Havana Syndrome."

Havana Syndrome refers to symptoms such as dizziness, nausea, headaches, and memory loss reported by U.S. embassy staff overseas. The name comes from the first reports in 2016 from embassy staff working in Havana, the capital of Cuba.

NBC reported that at least two staff members at the U.S. embassy in Vietnam exhibited symptoms of Havana Syndrome and will receive treatment.

The U.S. government has not publicly disclosed or speculated on the cause of this mysterious illness. However, the U.S. National Academy of Sciences released a report in December last year suggesting that it could be caused by microwave attacks.

Staff members showing symptoms of Havana Syndrome reportedly heard strange sounds related to infrasound at their homes over the past weekend.

William Burns, Director of the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), stated that about 200 U.S. officials and their families have experienced Havana Syndrome symptoms, with approximately 100 of them being CIA agents and their families.

The U.S. Department of Defense has considered the possibility of Russian involvement, but Russia denies any connection.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.