Doctor who attended Ebola-infected nurse discharged from quarantine

Madrid, Oct 27 (IANS/EFE) Juan Manuel Parra, the emergency doctor who attended Teresa Romero, the Spanish nurse who was infected with the Ebola virus, was discharged Monday from Madrid's Carlos III Hospital, where he was kept in quarantine for 21 days.

Parra, who was put in isolation after he had high-risk contact with the Spanish nurse, was swamped by journalists when he left the hospital.

He told the press he was delighted that Romero was cured of the disease and added that the period of isolation was "hard".

The doctor also thanked hospital staff for how they treated patients as well as the support he received from the outside over the three weeks.

During quarantine, Parra commented that he spent time getting to know himself, studying and trying to relax.

When asked what he would do if he was confronted with another case like that of Romero, Parra said he would treat the patient the same.

"I am an emergency doctor, it is my work," he told the press. Now he wants to forget everything, "breathe a little", and hug his family.

Parra also talked about the letter he sent to his superiors after attending Romero, in which he complained about faults in the protocol, including the protective suit he used, which he had to put on 12 times and was too small.

The Spaniard did not want to say if it would have any effect. "We will see, there will be time," he stated.

--IANS/EFE

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