Health Incident Response Task Force by the U.S. State Department
Health Incident Response Task Force by the U.S. State Department - Statements by the U.S. State Department
The U.S. State Department established the “Health Incidents Response Task Force” (HIRTF) in 2018 [*] to address “unexplained health incidents” which affected U.S. government personnel and family members stationed overseas starting in 2016, initially in Havana, Cuba and later in Guangzhou, China. Until then, the term “health incidents” and “health attacks” was been used interchangeably, while Secretary Tillerson had referred to “targeted attacks” [*]. The present administration’s Office of the Director of National Intelligence has introduced the term “anomalous health incidents” or AHI which is used by the interagency. The State Department issued in November 2021 the following statement [*] on anomalous health incidents, on the occasion of the appointment of two HIRTF leaders by Secretary Blinken. The U.S. Secretary of State provided remarks on AHIs and the HIRTF on that instance [*].
Anomalous Health Incidents and the Health Incident Response Task Force
2021-11-05, State Department
Secretary Antony J. Blinken On the Department’s Health Incidents Response Task Force
2021-11-05, State Department
Secretary Blinken’s Visit of Johns Hopkins Anomalous Health Incident Medical Care Operations
2021-12-21, State Department
Establishment of the Health Incidents Response Task Force
2018-06-05, State Department
Questionnaire
A few years ago, the U.S. State Department had made available a questionnaire related to anomalous health incidents (Havana Syndrome), to be completed by employees that had experienced corresponding symptoms. The questionnaire was to be emailed to the Department's Health Incident Response Task Force (HIRTF).
It has been reported that private citizens who had completed and sent the questionnaire had received a reply from the HIRTF. Excerpt from the PACTS International newsletter:
"Ralph in New Jersey reports that he has received a reply from the State Department in regards to his questionnaire that he sent to them. It is as follows:
"Thank you for your information and sharing your experience. We treat every report of a possible U.H.I. (Unexplained Health Incident) with an abundance of caution and have shared it with relevant task force members as well as the FBI. For private US citizens that would like more information about unexplained health incidents , please contact your local FBI office.""
On December 21, 2021 Secretary Blinken visited the Johns Hopkins Anomalous Health Incident Medical Care Operations.
Press release: https://www.state.gov/secretary-blinkens-visit-of-johns-hopkins-anomalous-health-incident-medical-care-operations
In October 2021, the State Department "began a partnership with Johns Hopkins University, so those affected can access the University’s outstanding medical professionals and facilities", as mentioned in this reference https://www.state.gov/anomalous-health-incidents-and-the-health-incident-response-task-force/
Secretary Antony Blinken, 2021-12-21: "I appreciated the opportunity to visit John Hopkins Medicine, where State Department colleagues are receiving treatment for possible Anomalous Health Incidents. I am committed to ensuring top-notch treatment for our people, and Hopkins Medicine has an impressive, multidisciplinary program."
https://twitter.com/SecBlinken/status/1473488035782316039