Mystery illness sees Canada halve its Cuba embassy staff

A 14th person has now been affected by the symptoms at Canada's embassy in Havana

Canada will cut its embassy staff in Cuba by up to half after a mystery illness affected another person there, authorities in Ottawa have said.

Medical testing after the reappearance of unusual symptoms in November saw a 14th Canadian affected.

The US says its staff in Cuba have also been affected by the mystery illness

Canada's foreign office said the number of staff will now be cut by up to half as a result. US staff have also been affected by the illness, which causes dizziness, nausea and difficulty concentrating.


Canada has discounted the idea of a "sonic attack" being the cause - a theory previously put forward by the US state department last year.

• US tests two more over Cuba 'sonic attack'
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A statement released by Global Affairs Canada said "employees, spouses and dependents" at the embassy were among the affected, and all were receiving ongoing medical treatment.

While the embassy would remain open some services could be affected in the future, the statement read.

Staff numbers will now drop from about 16 to up to eight, the Associated Press reports.