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Canada Orders Diplomats’ Families to Leave Cuba Over Unexplained ‘Brain Injuries’

Follows U.S. withdrawal over mysterious “acoustic attack.”

The families of Canadian diplomats in Cuba have been told to return home permanently after unexplained health symptoms that specialists believe could have a “human-made” cause. The U.S. State Department evacuated its nonessential personnel and families from Cuba in 2017 after claims a sophisticated device had been used in an “acoustic attack” on embassy staff. Canadian diplomats also appeared to be affected and now Canada has launched an investigation into the unexplained health problems. “The symptoms include dizziness, headaches, and lack of ability to concentrate, among others,” said a Canadian government statement, adding: “According to these specialists, medical information raised concerns for a new type of a possible acquired brain injury. Additional research is needed to better understand this. The cause remains unknown but could be human-made.” Canadian investigators have ruled out air or water problems. Cuba’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has not yet commented on Canada’s withdrawal of diplomatic families, CNN report.