Spain’s Minister of Health, Social Services and Equality, Ana Mato, sent a message of support, love and appreciation to nurses aide, Teresa Romero, the health professional who recovered from Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) and was released from Madrid’s Carlos III hospital today after spending 30 days there, most of it in quarantine, according to a La ministra de Sanidad, Servicios Sociales e Igualdad news release (computer translated).

Image/CIA
Image/CIA

In a news conference today, Romero said, “I am here to thank everyone, I am still very weak. When I felt I was dying I would cling to my memories, to my family and my husband, I was isolated and I did not have any contact with the exterior except with Javier [Limón] by telephone,” she added.

Romero contracted the dangerous virus treating the late Ebola infected priest, Manuel García Viejo towards the end of September.

Romero also commented on two other issues- donating her Ebola antibody-rich plasma and the killing of her dog, Excalibur.

“I don’t know what failed, or if anything failed. I just know that I don’t hold any grudges. If my infection is good for something, to better study the disease and help develop a vaccine, or if my blood can be used to cure other people, I am available,” Romero said.

In a statement today, the nurse’s aide said the killing of her dog, Excalibur, “wasn’t necessary”. “The worst part of all of this is that our dog was not given a chance.”

Excalibur was euthanized by Madrid Health authorities after Romero tested positive for Ebola. Soon after in the US, the story was quite different for Dallas nurse, Nina Pham’s dog, Bentley, who was recently reunited with his owner.

Minister Ana Mato said that the recovery of Teresa Romero is “a great satisfaction for all of Spanish society,” and Romero’s healing had been the priority of the entire government.