Four quarantined, 56 being monitored in Spain after nurse tests positive for Ebola

A Madrid nurse, 40, has become the first victim of Ebola outside of Africa, prompting a lockdown.

By Dave Lancaster |

17:07 07 October 2014

The (as yet unnamed) medical worker began feeling ill on September 30th. She was diagnosed with Ebola on Monday and, as of Tuesday, is in a stable condition but there are fears that she may have contaminated others. In response, at least four people close to her have been quarantined while 56 more are under a close eye. 

Ebola came to Spain after the nation agreed to bring home two missionaries (now dead) who contracted the disease in Africa. Despite being Spanish, the victims had been in Africa for decades prompting arguments from some citizens that they should not have been brought back.

The infected nurse embarked on a holiday after one of the missionaries died on September 25th. However, she did not leave Madrid at the time.

Spain's health minister, Ana Mato, said an emergency protocol is in place and "We are working to guarantee the safety of all citizens"

Meanwhile in the United States, President Obama has confirmed that airport screenings are being upgraded in an effort to stop any further spreads.

More than 3,400 have now died after the latest strain of the Ebola virus ravaged West African countries Liberia, Guinea, Sierra Leone and Nigeria.