Alleged Sonic Attack on US Diplomat in China Similar to One in Cuba - Pompeo

BEIJING (Sputnik) - On Wednesday, a US diplomat in China reported "abnormal" sensations of sound and pressure, which prompted the US government to start looking into the incident.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said that medical teams were en route to Guangzhou to investigate after an alleged sonic attack similar to those reported in Cuba.

"The medical indications are very similar, and entirely consistent with, the medical indications that were taking place to Americans working in Cuba," Pompeo stressed.

Meanwhile, the US State Department stated that the US consulate worker in southern China that had earlier reported symptoms similar to those of mild brain injury and head concussion returned to the US for further examination.

The department's statement comes as Washington has issued a health warning to American citizens in China after the US diplomatic employee in China reported "subtle and vague, but abnormal, sensations of sound and pressure," according to the press service of the US Embassy in China.

The embassy's statement provided no details regarding the location where the incident was registered, however, the contacts of the US Consulate General in the southern Chinese city of Guangzhou were attached to it.

READ MORE: Cuba's Raul Castro Denies Using Sound Weapons Against US Diplomats

The embassy, in particular, recommended to "consult a medical professional" in case of "concerns about any symptoms or medical problems that developed during or after a stay in China."

"While in China, if you experience any unusual acute auditory or sensory phenomena accompanied by unusual sounds or piercing noises, do not attempt to locate their source. Instead, move to a location where the sounds are not present," the recommendation said.

In November 2016, US diplomatic staff in Cuba said they began to experience symptoms and were subsequently treated for hearing loss, dizziness, balance problems and insomnia, all of which occurred after their exposure to alleged acoustic attacks.

The US State Department has said that at least 24 individuals working at the US Embassy in Havana experienced health effects caused by these purported attacks.

Responding to these claims, the Cuban Foreign Ministry denied any Cuban involvement in the alleged attacks. During the investigation, the Cuban authorities did not find any "acoustic" or other weapons, which could be potentially damaging to the health of the US diplomatic staff, even among those who resided very close to the building of the US diplomatic mission.