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Ebola outbreak: Spain investigates new case Ebola outbreak: Spain investigates new case
(35 minutes later)
Investigations are under way at a hospital in Madrid after a Spanish nurse became the first person known to have contracted the deadly Ebola virus outside West Africa.Investigations are under way at a hospital in Madrid after a Spanish nurse became the first person known to have contracted the deadly Ebola virus outside West Africa.
The nurse had treated two Spanish missionaries who died of the disease after being flown home from the region.The nurse had treated two Spanish missionaries who died of the disease after being flown home from the region.
Meanwhile, US President Barack Obama has announced plans to screen passengers flying to the United States.Meanwhile, US President Barack Obama has announced plans to screen passengers flying to the United States.
Some 3,400 people have died in the outbreak - mostly in West Africa.Some 3,400 people have died in the outbreak - mostly in West Africa.
The Spanish auxiliary nurse, a 40-year-old woman whose identity has not been revealed, was one of some 30 staff at the Carlos III hospital in Madrid who had been treating Spanish priests Manuel Garcia Viejo and Miguel Pajares, officials say. The Spanish auxiliary nurse, a 40-year-old woman who has not been named, was one of about 30 staff at the Carlos III hospital in Madrid who had been treating priests Manuel Garcia Viejo and Miguel Pajares, officials say.
Mr Garcia Viejo, 69, died at the hospital on 25 September after catching Ebola in Sierra Leone. Mr Garcia Viejo, 69, died at the hospital on 25 September after catching Ebola in Sierra Leone. Miguel Pajares, 75, died in August after contracting the virus in Liberia.
Miguel Pajares, 75, died in August after contracting the virus in Liberia.
The nurse had twice gone into the room where Mr Garcia Viejo had been treated - to be directly involved in his care and to disinfect the room after his death. Both times she was wearing protective clothing.The nurse had twice gone into the room where Mr Garcia Viejo had been treated - to be directly involved in his care and to disinfect the room after his death. Both times she was wearing protective clothing.
Shortly afterwards she had gone on holiday, a hospital spokesman said, but fell ill with fever symptoms on 30 September and was admitted to Alcorcon hospital in south-west Madrid on Sunday after being positively tested for Ebola. Madrid health care director Antonia Alemany told reporters that according to the information available: "The nurse went into the room wearing the individual protection gear and there's no knowledge of an accidental exposure to risk."
In the early hours of Tuesday she was moved under a police escort to Carlos III hospital in the capital and is said to be in a stable condition. Shortly afterwards the nurse went on holiday, a hospital spokesman said, but fell ill on 30 September and was admitted to Alcorcon hospital in south-west Madrid on Sunday after being tested positive for Ebola.
Early on Tuesday she was moved under police escort to Carlos III hospital in the capital and is said to be in a stable condition.
Her husband and the other members of the medical team are being monitored. It was not known where she had gone on holiday.Her husband and the other members of the medical team are being monitored. It was not known where she had gone on holiday.
It is unclear how the auxiliary nurse could have contracted Ebola. It is also unclear how she could have contracted Ebola.
The hospital was reported to have had extreme protective measures in place including two sets of overalls, gloves and goggles.The hospital was reported to have had extreme protective measures in place including two sets of overalls, gloves and goggles.
However, health workers told El Pais newspaper that the clothing used during the treatment of the two priests did not have level-four biological security, which is fully waterproof and with independent breathing apparatus.However, health workers told El Pais newspaper that the clothing used during the treatment of the two priests did not have level-four biological security, which is fully waterproof and with independent breathing apparatus.
Instead it was level two, the paper says, as photographs provided by staff indicated that the overalls worn did not allow for ventilation and the gloves were made of latex and bound with adhesive tape.Instead it was level two, the paper says, as photographs provided by staff indicated that the overalls worn did not allow for ventilation and the gloves were made of latex and bound with adhesive tape.
Containing Ebola: BBC health correspondent Michelle RobertsContaining Ebola: BBC health correspondent Michelle Roberts
Patients should be isolated - ideally in a hospital with the highest level of bio-safety.Patients should be isolated - ideally in a hospital with the highest level of bio-safety.
Such a facility would use a specially-designed tent with controlled ventilation to house the patient's bed - this allows staff to provide clinical care while containing the infection.Such a facility would use a specially-designed tent with controlled ventilation to house the patient's bed - this allows staff to provide clinical care while containing the infection.
Staff treating the patient must wear protective suits, gloves, masks and goggles. This equipment should be completely impermeable since Ebola is spread in bodily fluids such as sweat, urine and bloodStaff treating the patient must wear protective suits, gloves, masks and goggles. This equipment should be completely impermeable since Ebola is spread in bodily fluids such as sweat, urine and blood
Any clinical waste such as syringes, paper towels or clothing from the patient should incinerated. A dedicated laboratory should be used to carry out any necessary tests.Any clinical waste such as syringes, paper towels or clothing from the patient should incinerated. A dedicated laboratory should be used to carry out any necessary tests.
The likelihood of an Ebola outbreak in the US was "extremely low", President Obama said on Monday, but "we don't have a lot of margin of error". Marc Sprenger, director of the European Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, told the BBC that Spanish officials had to trace any contacts the nurse may have made after she started showing symptoms.
Dr Tom Frieden, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, has ruled out banning flights to the US from countries suffering the outbreak, arguing the isolation would only worsen the outbreak within Africa and would deny those countries crucial aid. "It's extremely important. We need to follow up all contacts in Europe and I'm sure that the Spanish authorities are doing this. It's a very serious business," he said.
Mr Obama criticised foreign governments for not acting "as aggressively as they need to" against the outbreak. In the US, President Obama said on Monday that the likelihood of an Ebola outbreak there was "extremely low", but "we don't have a lot of margin of error".
"Countries that think that they can sit on the sidelines and just let the United States do it, that will result in a less effective response, a less speedy response, and that means that people die. He criticised foreign governments for not acting "as aggressively as they need to" against the outbreak.
"And it also means that the potential spread of the disease beyond these areas in West Africa becomes more imminent," Mr Obama said. Ebola spreads through contact with bodily fluids and the only way to stop an outbreak is to isolate those who are infected.
Ebola spreads through contact with the bodily fluids of someone who has the virus and the only way to stop an outbreak is to isolate those who are infected.
In another development, Sierra Leone opposition politician Chernor Bah says a shipment of supplies urgently needed to help Ebola patients has been held up for months in Freetown port because the government refuses to pay duty on it.In another development, Sierra Leone opposition politician Chernor Bah says a shipment of supplies urgently needed to help Ebola patients has been held up for months in Freetown port because the government refuses to pay duty on it.
However, health officials insist payment to allow the shipment through has been made.However, health officials insist payment to allow the shipment through has been made.
There have been nearly 7,500 confirmed infections worldwide, with officials saying the figure is likely to be much higher in reality.There have been nearly 7,500 confirmed infections worldwide, with officials saying the figure is likely to be much higher in reality.
Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia have been hardest hit.Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia have been hardest hit.
Thomas Duncan, the first person to be diagnosed with Ebola in the US, is being treated at a Dallas hospital in isolation. He caught the virus in his native Liberia. Thomas Duncan, the first person to be diagnosed with Ebola in the US, is being treated at a Dallas hospital. He caught the virus in his native Liberia. Doctors say he is critical but stable.
Mr Duncan's condition is critical but stable, doctors said on Monday.
He has been given Brincidofovir, a new experimental drug for treating Ebola which was developed in North Carolina.
Ebola virus disease (EVD)Ebola virus disease (EVD)
Are you affected by the issues raised in this story? You can email your experiences to haveyoursay@bbc.co.ukAre you affected by the issues raised in this story? You can email your experiences to haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk