19 Americans affected by health attacks in Cuba: State Department

The United States has claimed that at least 19 Americans serving at the US Embassy in Havana experienced symptoms from mysterious attacks on their health in Cuba.

"We can confirm another incident which occurred last month and is now part of the investigation," Heather Nauert, a spokeswoman for the State Department, told reporters on Friday in Washington, DC. 

Nauert said that the embassy has a medical officer and has been consistently providing care to those who have reported incidents.

She further said that the investigation had not been completed and the US was continually revising its assessments of the scope of the attacks as new information was obtained.

“We can't rule out new cases as medical professionals continue to evaluate members of the embassy community," Nauert added.

The new disclosures came the same day that the American Foreign Service Association (AFSA), the union representing American diplomats, said mild traumatic brain injury was among the diagnoses given to diplomats victimized in the attacks. 

"AFSA strongly encourages the Department of State and the US Government to do everything possible to provide appropriate care for those affected, and to work to ensure that these incidents cease and are not repeated," the union said in a statement.

Last week, Nauert had said at least 16 Americans associated with the US Embassy in Havana had been affected.

SS