What is Havana Syndrome? Mysterious illness with alleged ties to Russian sonic weaponry prompts 1,350% spike in web searches & more health questions this week
Canadians are on the hunt for answers to their biggest health questions — but what does the CIA have to do with it?
This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Contact a qualified medical professional before engaging in any physical activity, or making any changes to your diet, medication or lifestyle.
Canadians love turning to the internet to answer their questions — especially when it comes to health. Although some of us may fancy ourselves experts from watching 20 seasons of "Grey's Anatomy," there are still some questions that only the internet can solve.
This week, Canadians went online in search of answers about a mysterious illness that's prompted responses from both the Kremlin and the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency.
What is Havana Syndrome?
In 2016, U.S. embassy officials in Cuba’s capital began reporting “extreme headaches” and frequently hearing “piercing sounds” at night. According to Time, there have been more than 1,000 reported cases of what’s been dubbed Havana Syndrome impacting U.S government employees and their families around the world.
Earlier this week, a new investigation by 60 Minutes, The Insider and Der Spiegel claimed those affected by the mysterious ailment were the target of Russian sonic weaponry. This prompted a 1,350 per cent increase in web searches for Havana Syndrome.
While the Kremlin dismissed the April 1 report, a separate report published in March by U.S. intelligence agencies also said it’s “very unlikely” that Russia or another “hostile power” is behind a campaign to target American diplomats and spies.
According to Time, people who have reported Havana Syndrome are said to have experienced migraines, anxiety, dizziness, memory lapses, vertigo and cognitive impairment.
In a recent special by 60 Minutes, an FBI agent who suffered from the unexplained syndrome spoke of her symptoms:
“Inside my right ear it was like a dentist drilling on steroids that feeling when it gets too close to your eardrum it's like that you know, times 10,” the FBI Agent, referred to only as “Carrie,” said of the high-pitch noise.
U.S. intelligence is reportedly still investigating Havana Syndrome. Former Defense Department investigator Greg Edgreen, who worked on the investigation, told 60 Minutes, "There are no barriers on what Moscow will do, on who they will attack. And that if we don't face this head on, the problem is going to get worse.”
What are the symptoms of bird flu?
This week, the Texas Department of State Health Services reported a case of H5N1, also known as bird flu, in a person who worked on a dairy farm. The news prompted a 750 per cent increase in Canadian web searches to learn more about the signs and symptoms of avian influenza.
According to the U.S Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, bird flu is caused by the mucous, faces and saliva birds infected with avian influenza A virus. Although it’s rare for people to become infected with bird flu, it can happen to those with prolonged exposure to infected birds without proper personal protective equipment.
Symptoms of bird flu range in severity from eye redness to “mild flu-like upper-respiratory issues.” Other symptoms can include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headaches, runny nose, fatigue, shortness of breath and in rare cases, vomiting, seizures and diarrhea.
Aside from people, bird flu can infect other animals, including pigs, horses, dogs, cats, turkeys and cows. In March, the U.S. Department of Agriculture reported confirmed cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), a form of the bird flu virus, in dairy cows in several states, including Texas and New Mexico.
On Mar. 31, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency said there have not been any confirmed cases of HPAI in dairy cattle or other livestock and is "monitoring the situation closely."
What are the signs of concussions in children?
This week there was a 160 per cent in web searches for signs of concussions in children, perhaps with good reason, since head injuries, including concussions, are the most common injury reported among children in Canada.
Symptoms of a concussion can include: headache, nausea or vomiting, double or blurry vision, confusion, mood changes, sensitivity to light, feeling fatigued or groggy, feeling dizzy and having trouble paying attention. Seek medical care if you suspect your child has a concussion.
If your child slurs their speech, has one pupil larger than the other, becomes agitated or confused, experiences a seizure, loses consciousness, becomes very drowsy, won't stop crying or has difficulty recognizing people and places, seek immediate medical attention to rule out a more severe condition or injury.
According to the Mayo Clinic, children can have a concussion without losing consciousness and may require a few days without physical or mental activities to rest before gradually returning to their normal routine.
Concussions can last up to seven to 10 days and in some cases, may take a month for children and teens to fully recover. Children who have experienced concussions are more prone to them in the future.
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