NEW YORK – Another person who had close contact with the Spanish nurse infected with Ebola is under quarantine at a hospital in Madrid.
Six people already had been placed in isolation after having contact with the nurse, Teresa Romero. One patient has developed a fever, although none, except Romero, have been diagnosed with Ebola.
Romero contracted the deadly disease after attending to two missionaries who had worked in West Africa. Miguel Pajares, 75, died Aug. 12 after contracting Ebola in Liberia. Manuel Garcia Viejo, 69, died Sept. 25 after returning from Sierra Leone.
The president of the community of Madrid, Ignacio Gonzalez, told reporters Thursday that Romero's health had deteriorated and she is in danger of dying.
According to BBC News, Romero, a 40 year-old auxiliary nurse, was part of a team of about 30 staff at the Carlos III Hospital in Madrid who treated the two Spanish missionaries. She remembered touching her face with her gloves in the process of removing her HAZMAT bio-protective medical suit.
The London Guardian reported Wednesday that Romero attempted three times to tell medical authorities she had a fever before she was placed in quarantine.
The U.K. paper said the first contact with health authorities was Sept. 30, when she complained of a slight fever and fatigue. But rather than admit her to isolation for examination, doctors determined her fever could be treated with acetaminophen, a common over-the-counter pain reliever and fever reducer.
Finally, on Monday, she called the Carlos III hospital again, complaining she felt terrible.
Rather than calling for an ambulance to transport her to the hospital immediately, physicians instructed her to call emergency services and head to the hospital closest to her home. Consequently, she was transported to the Alcorcón hospital and treated by paramedics who were not wearing protective gear.
Spanish health authorities are in touch with 50 persons in contact with Romero to see if they develop any symptoms of Ebola.