A judge in Maine has ruled that a nurse who treated Ebola victims in West Africa doesn’t need to be confined to her home.
Kaci Hickox must however continue to have her health directly monitored and coordinate travel plans with local officials and report any symptoms.
But she says she is pleased with the outcome: “I’m very satisfied with the decision. The three points he recommended I abide by are the three points that I believe are part of this good compromise we make and comply with the CDC (Centre for Disease Control) recommendations.”
Although the judge declared Ebola fears in the US are “not entirely rational”, the governor of Maine said more stringent measures are needed.
“She’s been very clear and this is one of the disappointments. She’s violated every promise she’s made so far, so I can’t trust her. I don’t trust her. And I don’t trust that we know enough about this disease to be so callous,” Paul LePage told reporters.
With other US states imposing their own quarantines, it seems Nurse Hickox’s challenge of Maine’s 21-day isolation regime will remain a key battle in the fight between local authorities and the federal government.
Also read:
Everything you need to know about the Ebola virus
