Ebola-infected Spanish nurse slightly better, optimism increases

Spanish nursing auxiliary Teresa Romero remained in a stable but critical condition Tuesday as she entered the second week of her battle against the Ebola virus.

Romero, 44, is now at a stage where patients are usually able to start producing anti-bodies to combat the Ebola virus, vastly increasing their chances of survival, Xinhua reported.

She first developed symptoms of the virus Sep 30, that means she is now in this situation, although she spent a "rather complicated night" Sunday, according to Teresa Mesa, a spokesperson for her family.

"She is in good spirits and speaking with her companions," said Mesa, who also read out a statement from Romero's husband Javier Limon.

Limon, who is under observation as a result of his exposure to the virus, has demanded the resignation of Javier Rodriguez, the director of the health authority in the community of Madrid.

Rodriguez has made a series of controversial statements during the crisis saying you "don't need a master's degree" in order to put on a protective suit and implying Romero had lied over how she could have been infected.

"Unfortunately my wife has not got a master's, Teresa had half an hour to learn (how to take on and off the suit) with the help of a companion," wrote Limon, who said he was "upset by the lack of respect Rodriguez had shown".

Ebola has a maximum incubation period of 21 days and the crisis in Spain will be considered over Oct 27 if neither Limon nor any of the 14 other people who had contact with Teresa when she was contagious and who are under observation in the Carlos III Hospital have developed symptoms of the disease by that date.