CIA chief team member reported ‘Havana syndrome’ symptoms during trip to India: report

A member of CIA Director William Burns’s team who traveled to India with him earlier this month reported symptoms that are in line with “Havana syndrome” and had to receive medical attention.

CNN, citing three sources familiar with the matter, reported on Monday that an individual who traveled with Burns to India experienced symptoms abroad and received immediate medical attention once back in the U.S.

One source told CNN that Burns was “fuming” with anger following the news of the Havana syndrome-like symptoms and that it set off alarm bells in the U.S. government.

Some officials saw the situation as a direct message to Burns that nobody is safe from the illness, including someone who leads the CIA, the network reported, citing two sources.

Havana syndrome was first recorded at the U.S. Embassy in Cuba in 2016. Since then, cases have been recorded in countries around the world, and the intelligence community has yet to identify a cause.

The reported incident is the second time in less than a month that Havana syndrome has affected international travel for Biden administration officials.

Vice President Harris had to delay her arrival in Vietnam last month after at least two U.S. diplomats in the country had to be medically evacuated.

Harris’s office at the time said the trip was delayed because of “a report of a recent possible anomalous health incident” in Hanoi. Two officials later confirmed to NBC News that the office was referring to Havana syndrome.

Burns and Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines have focused efforts on investigating Havana syndrome. Burns in July said the CIA tripled the size of the medical team investigating the mysterious illness.

NBC News reported that month that up to 200 Americans have reported possible Havana syndrome symptoms.

When reached for comment, a CIA spokesperson said the agency does not comment on specific incidents or officers.

“We have protocols in place for when individuals report possible anomalous health incidents that include receiving appropriate medical treatment,” the spokesperson added.

They also said Burns “has made it a top priority to ensure officers get the care they need and that we get to the bottom of this.”

“We will keep doing everything we can to protect our officers,” the spokesperson said.

–Updated on Sept. 21 at 12:02 p.m.