It is one of the most extraordinary cases in the history of science: the mating calls of
insects were mistaken for a sonic weapon that led to a major diplomatic row. Since August 2017
the world media has been absorbed in the attack on diplomats from the American and Canadian
Embassies in Cuba. While physicians treating victims have described it as a novel and
perplexing condition that involves an array of complaints including brain damage the authors
present compelling evidence that mass psychogenic illness was the cause of Havana Syndrome.
This mysterious condition that has baffled experts is explored across 11-chapters which offer
insights by a prominent neurologist and an expert on psychogenic illness. A lively and
enthralling read the authors explore the history of similar scares from the 18th century
belief that sounds from certain musical instruments were harmful to human health to 19th
century cases of telephone shock and more contemporary panics involving people living near
wind turbines that have been tied to a variety of health complaints. The authors provide dozens
of examples of kindred episodes of mass hysteria throughout history in addition to
psychosomatic conditions and even the role of insects in triggering outbreaks. Havana Syndrome:
Mass Psychogenic Illness and the Real Story Behind the Embassy Mystery and Hysteria is a
scientific detective story and a case study in the social construction of mass psychogenic
illness.
