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Ebola outbreak: Maine will try to enforce Hickox quarantine Ebola outbreak: Maine will try to enforce Hickox quarantine
(about 2 hours later)
The governor of Maine has vowed to exercise the "full extent" of his authority to quarantine a nurse who treated Ebola patients in Africa.The governor of Maine has vowed to exercise the "full extent" of his authority to quarantine a nurse who treated Ebola patients in Africa.
Paul LePage said negotiations with Kaci Hickox, who last week returned from Sierra Leone, over the terms of her isolation had broken down. Paul LePage said negotiations with Kaci Hickox, who went for a bike ride on Thursday morning, had broken down.
Meanwhile Ms Hickox, who is free of Ebola symptoms, went for a bike ride. Her lawyers said they had not yet been served by a court order to enforce the 21-day quarantine but would fight it.
Nearly 5,000 people have died of Ebola, but only nine patients have been treated for the virus on US soil.Nearly 5,000 people have died of Ebola, but only nine patients have been treated for the virus on US soil.
More than 13,700 people have been infected in total, the vast majority in the West African countries of Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea.More than 13,700 people have been infected in total, the vast majority in the West African countries of Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea.
Ebola, which is only spread through close contact with the bodily fluids of a sick patient, has an incubation period of up to 21 days.Ebola, which is only spread through close contact with the bodily fluids of a sick patient, has an incubation period of up to 21 days.
People are not infectious until they show symptoms, usually a fever.People are not infectious until they show symptoms, usually a fever.
In other developments:In other developments:
US officials are at odds over whether American healthcare workers who return from treating Ebola patients in West Africa should be forced into quarantine.US officials are at odds over whether American healthcare workers who return from treating Ebola patients in West Africa should be forced into quarantine.
One of these workers, Dr Craig Spencer, travelled around New York City before he fell ill. He is currently in isolation in hospital.One of these workers, Dr Craig Spencer, travelled around New York City before he fell ill. He is currently in isolation in hospital.
Deaths from EbolaDeaths from Ebola
After his case was announced, New York, New Jersey and other states ordered the mandatory quarantine of healthcare workers who had been exposed to Ebola patients.After his case was announced, New York, New Jersey and other states ordered the mandatory quarantine of healthcare workers who had been exposed to Ebola patients.
But President Barack Obama has warned that overly restrictive measures could discourage volunteering in West Africa.But President Barack Obama has warned that overly restrictive measures could discourage volunteering in West Africa.
On Thursday, Mr LePage's office said it had hoped Ms Hickox would adhere to all suggested CDC guidelines for healthcare workers at "some risk" of having Ebola. Governor LePage said the state was willing to agree to arrangements that would have allowed Hickox to go for walks, runs and bicycle rides.
Those include refraining from going out in public except for solo exercise or walks, not going to work, staying off public transport, submitting to direct monitoring, and agreeing to co-ordinate travel with public health authorities, among other measures. But she would be prevented from going into public places or coming within three feet (less than a metre) of other people.
But the guidelines only recommend daily observation of the person's health by local health authorities, with the other measures suggested depending on the individual case. But the governor said discussions with Ms Hickox, 33, had failed.
The governor's office did not disclose what steps it would take to force her compliance, but said, "Maine statutes provide robust authority to the state to use legal measures to address threats to public health". His office did not disclose what steps it would take to force her compliance, but said, "Maine statutes provide robust authority to the state to use legal measures to address threats to public health".
Ebola cases outside West AfricaEbola cases outside West Africa
Ms Hickox returned to the US on Friday, landing at Newark International Airport and immediately placed in an isolation tent outside a local hospital.Ms Hickox returned to the US on Friday, landing at Newark International Airport and immediately placed in an isolation tent outside a local hospital.
After showing no fever or other symptoms for a 24-hour period, she was discharged and brought to Maine, where she lives in a house in a rural area.After showing no fever or other symptoms for a 24-hour period, she was discharged and brought to Maine, where she lives in a house in a rural area.
On Thursday morning, Ms Hickox left her home on a bicycle, followed by police officers who monitored her movements but who are unable to detain her until they have a court order.On Thursday morning, Ms Hickox left her home on a bicycle, followed by police officers who monitored her movements but who are unable to detain her until they have a court order.
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has condemned the actions of US states ordering medics to be isolated.UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has condemned the actions of US states ordering medics to be isolated.
"Returning health workers are exceptional people who are giving of themselves for humanity," he said."Returning health workers are exceptional people who are giving of themselves for humanity," he said.
"They should not be subjected to restrictions that are not based on science.""They should not be subjected to restrictions that are not based on science."