Protesters scuffle with Spanish health officals, fail to save Excalibur

The dog of a Spanish nurse infected with Ebola in Madrid was put down Wednesday by health authorities who feared it could spread the deadly disease, despite a campaign to spare him by animal rights activists. Health workers complained Tuesday that they lack the training and equipment to handle the virus, and the all-important tourism industry was showing its anxiety. Protesters who wanted to save the dog, a mixed breed mutt named Excalibur, scuffled with police as they attempted to stop health department officials from removing the animal from Teresa Romero’s apartment in Alcorcon on the outskirts of the Spanish capital. Just 40 minutes after the dog was removed from the apartment, Madrid’s regional government issued a statement saying it had been put down. Romero and her husband, Javier Limon, did not get to say goodbye to Excalibur because they are in quarantine.

One dog in Madrid has generated more mobilization and news than thousands of deaths from Ebola in Africa. Something to reflect on.

Edu Madina, a Basque politician, on Twitter.

Theresa Romero is in quarantine in a Madrid hospital after she was diagnosed with the virus, which she contracted while cleaning up after Spanish missionary Manuel Garcia Viejo, who died from the disease. Romero wore a hazmat suit both times she entered his room, officials said, but accidentally touched her face while still wearing a glove. Romero is the first person to contract ebola outside Africa.

You never know when (an Ebola) patient’s going to walk in.

Dr. Debra Spicehandler, an infectious disease expert at Northern Westchester Hospital in Mount Kisco, New York

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