Kaci Hickox, a nurse who volunteered with Doctors Without Borders in Sierra Leone treating Ebola patients, has said she plans to end her voluntary quarantine in the U.S.A.
Hickox held an impromptu press conference outside her home with her boyfriend as police looked on. Mary Mayhew, the Department of Health and Human Services commissioner has said that state officials are now seeking a court order to allow state troopers to detain the nurse.
Kaci Hickox has shown no symptoms of Ebola and said “I remain appalled by these home quarantine policies that have been forced upon me even though I am in perfectly good health. I am frustrated by the intention to file legal action against me. And if this does occur, then I will challenge those legal actions.”
However, state officials are insisting that she should remain in isolation until the end of the 21-day incubation period for Ebola which for Ms Hickox, falls on November 10th.
Ms Mayhew said that until a judge signs an order, Kaci’s movements will be monitored by police if she leaves her home.
Governor of Maine Paul LePage, recognized the efforts of all health care workers who have volunteered to treat Ebola patients in Africa. But he added that the state must be “vigilant” to protect others.
Ms Hickox said “I am not going to sit around and be bullied by politicians and forced to stay in my home when I am not a risk to the American public.”
So far, four people have been diagnosed with Ebola in the US.