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Spanish Nurse Who Contracted Ebola Appears Free of Virus: Officials

Spain says a test has shown a nursing assistant who became infected with Ebola is now clear of all traces of the virus.
Image: Spanish nurse Teresa Romero Ramos tests negative for the virus
Teresa Romero Ramos, the Spanish nurse who is the first case of human-to-human ebola contagion in Europe, with her dog, in an undated handout photo. Reports state on Oct. 19 that Teresa Romero Ramos the Spanish nurse who became first person to contract Ebola outside Africa now tests negative for the virus.PACMA via EPA file

Officials in Spain say a nursing assistant who was infected with Ebola is now clear of the virus, according to initial blood tests. Teresa Romero's immune system has eliminated the virus from her body, Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy's office said Sunday.

"The health status of the patient admitted to Carlos III Hospital has evolved favorably," the office said in a statement. "Also, the 15 people that have stayed at the hospital for having made contact with the patient (nurse) continue to be asymptomatic."

Manuel Cuenca, microbiology director at Madrid's Carlos III health care complex, told The Associated Press that a second test in the coming hours is needed to confirm Romero's recovery. Romero, 44, had treated two patients who died of Ebola at Carlos III hospital. The first, Miguel Pajares, contracted the disease in Liberia and died Aug. 12 despite having been treated with the experimental drug ZMapp. The second was Manuel Garcia Viejo, who died Sept. 25.

Image: Spanish nurse Teresa Romero Ramos tests negative for the virus
Teresa Romero Ramos, the Spanish nurse who is the first case of human-to-human ebola contagion in Europe, with her dog, in an undated handout photo. Reports state on Oct. 19 that Teresa Romero Ramos the Spanish nurse who became first person to contract Ebola outside Africa now tests negative for the virus.PACMA via EPA file

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— Hasani Gittens and Christina Marker