Ebola patient Romero seeks compensation for damages

MADRID, Nov. 10 (UPI) -- Madrid nurse and Ebola survivor Teresa Romero will sue for damages connected to alleged defamation and the death of her dog, her lawyer said Monday.

Romero, 44, was released Nov. 5 from the Madrid hospital where she worked. She tested positive for the disease and was quarantined after serving as a nurse to two Spanish missionaries who acquired the Ebola virus in West Africa and later died.

Lawyer Jose Maria Garzon said she would seek 300,000 Euros ($372,792) in damages for statement made by Madrid's health minister, Javier Rodriguez, for allegedly tarnishing her reputation, and for the death of her dog, who was put down over fears it could affect humans, although it showed no symptoms of the disease.

It is believed Romero acquired the Ebola virus when she touched her face with gloves used to deal with her patients, and after she was declared at no risk of dying, Rodriguez publicly suggested she lied about the way she contracted the virus. His comments included, "You don't need a Masters to learn how to put on and take off a suit," "some people are better at learning than others" and later, "I said she might have lied because she's hidden information and taken days to admit she's made a mistake."

Her layer said Romero is seeking compensation to "clean up her image."