--- description: Canada has summoned home the families of diplomats from Cuba's capital city, Havana due to ongoing, inexplicable health problems title: Canada Recalls Families of Diplomats in Cuba image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltc87b0af1ba257ea9/69892dce8fd2ee0e7e35b530/gettyimages-623669374.jpg?branch=production&width=3840&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 ---  * [World](/section/world/) ## World Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close * [Canada](/tag/canada/) ## Canada Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close # Canada Recalls Families of Diplomats in Cuba Following Mystery Illness by [Casey Quackenbush](/author/casey-quackenbush/) ## Casey Quackenbush Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close Apr 17, 2018 5:46 AM CUT  Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks during a press conference in Havana, on Nov. 16, 2016. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks during a press conference in Havana, on Nov. 16, 2016.STR/AFP/Getty Images by [Casey Quackenbush](/author/casey-quackenbush/) ## Casey Quackenbush Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close Apr 17, 2018 5:46 AM CUT Canada has [summoned](http://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-43791759 "undefined") home the families of diplomats from Cuba’s capital city, Havana, after a number of embassy workers have suffered from unexplained health problems. Government officials [issued](https://www.canada.ca/en/global-affairs/news/2018/04/statement-by-global-affairs-canada-on-ongoing-health-and-security-situation-of-canadian-diplomatic-staff-and-dependants-in-havana-cuba.html "undefined") the recall as 10 Canadians continue to show symptoms such as dizziness, nausea, and difficulty concentrating, the BBC reports. Some of those showing symptoms include minors. According to a report by a Canadian medical specialist, the symptoms may be linked to a new kind of brain injury. Twenty-one American [diplomats](http://time.com/4895066/sonic-weapons-cuba/ "undefined") suffered similar symptoms last year. Washington recalled its staff in September and [issued](http://time.com/4962780/us-travel-warning-cuba-sonic-attacks/ "undefined") a travel warning against Cuba. According to officials, those who appeared to recover from the ailments have seen the symptoms resurface, BBC reports. The mysterious illnesses were originally believed to be caused by covert sonic attacks. An infrasonic or ultrasonic weapon can cause hearing loss and physical pain by emitting a sound not audible to a human ear within the vicinity of the victim. Cuba has rejected these allegations. Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez of Cuba described the accusations as “political manipulation” in October, the BBC reports. Canada has also disregarded those theories. 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But not quite. A high-pitched whine, but from what? It seems to undulate, even writhe. Listen closely: Some hear multiple, distinct tones colliding in a nails-on-the-chalkboard effect.","thumbnailUrl":"https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/HUKM4bas/poster.jpg?width=720","uploadDate":"2017-10-12T19:33:34.000Z","contentUrl":"https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/HUKM4bas.m3u8","embedUrl":"https://time.com/5242635/canada-cuba-diplomats-recalled/","duration":"PT26S","potentialAction":{"@type":"SeekToAction","target":"https://time.com/5242635/canada-cuba-diplomats-recalled/?jw_start={seek_to_second_number}","startOffset-input":"required name=seek_to_second_number"}}] ```