The first person to contract Ebola outside West Africa is now in serious but stable condition in Spain. CCTV’s Roee Ruttenberg reports from Madrid.
Hospital officials in Madrid said they’re taking every precaution to ensure no one else becomes infected with Ebola. The number of Spaniards now under observation or undergoing treatment for possible infection of the virus has doubled to 14.
The patients volunteered to enter isolation after coming in contact with nurse Theresa Romero. Romero contracted Ebola after treating two Spanish missionaries who caught the disease there. So far, none have tested positive for the hemorrhagic fever that has left more than 4,000 people dead in West Africa.
The Spanish government announced it was setting up a special committee to manage the crisis. The government has been facing mounting criticism from Spanish unions. They blame years of cuts in healthcare spending for what they say is Spain’s lack of preparedness.
Meanwhile, the condition of the infected nurse was said to be stable after saying it was deemed critical earlier in the day. Hospital officials offered no additional details or explanations. A growing number of nurses are resigning, saying they will refuse to treat potential Ebola patients.
Many Spanish citizens are angry that the first infection outside of Africa happened in their country. They say they want answers, and simply aren’t getting any.
CCTV America spoke to Mead Over who researches the economics of efficient, effective, and cost-effective health interventions in developing countries at the Center for Global Development.