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


State Department AHI* policy

On 5th November 2021, Secretary Blinken was elaborating on the State Department AHI policy, on the occasion of the announcement of the appointment of the new head of the State Department's "Health Incidents Response Task Force" (HIRTF).

*Anomalous Health Incidents (cf. Havana Syndrome)

A fact sheet issued on the same day was citing:

https://www.state.gov/anomalous-health-incidents-and-the-health-incident-response-task-force/

1) the coordination of the government response to AHI by the National Security Council,

2) the implementation of the recommendations outlined in the Department-commissioned National Academy of Sciences Report,

3) the partnership with several medical centers-of-excellence for a baselining (testing) program (including vestibular, ocular, cognitive, neurological, and auditory domains).

In December 2021, Secretary Blinken would visit one of those centers located at the Johns Hopkins University.

More details about the HIRTF can be found on its site: https://www.state.gov/anomalous-health-incidents-and-the-health-incident-response-task-force/

Video: https://www.facebook.com/statedept/videos/365866391996437/


State Department partnership with Johns Hopkins University on AHIs

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 the following reference: https://www.state.gov/anomalous-health-incidents-and-the-health-incident-response-task-force/

On 21st December 2021, Secretary Blinken visited the Johns Hopkins Anomalous Health Incident Medical Care Operations. A press release is available at the following URL: https://www.state.gov/secretary-blinkens-visit-of-johns-hopkins-anomalous-health-incident-medical-care-operations

On 21st December 2021, Secretary Blinken stated on X (formerly Twitter): "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


Questionnaire for Anomalous Health Incidents

A few years ago, the U.S. State Department had created a questionnaire related to Anomalous Health Incidents (AHI)  to be completed by employees who had experienced corresponding symptoms. The questionnaire was to be emailed to the Department's Health Incident Response Task Force (HIRTF). 

Two U.S. NGOs against electromagnetic (directed-energy) targeting/harassment had brought the questionnaire to the attention of the community.

FFTI had noted: "It seems the questionnaire was originally designed for U.S. personnel and immediate families travelling abroad. However, several community members have stated they have received responses from the State Department by submitting the completed form and emailing it to HIRTF@state.gov".

PACTS International had noted in its newsletter (2021-10-08)*: "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.""

PACTS-provided link: https://users.neo.registeredsite.com/8/0/2/14515208/assets/US_Department_of_STATE_Havana_Syndrome_Questionnaire.pdf