The Spanish priest who became the first person carrying the deadly Ebola virus to Europe for treatment has died in a Madrid hospital. Miguel Pajares, 75, died at the Carlos III Hospital, where he was being treated.
A convoy of medics in protective suits escorted the missionary back to Spain last week after he was repatriated on a specially-adapted Airbus plane from Liberia. Spain’s Health Ministry said yesterday that it had obtained a course of the U.S.-made drug ZMapp over the weekend to treat the priest.
The Madrid hospital did not confirm if he had been treated with the drug at the time of his death. His body will be cremated tomorrow to avoid any further public health risks, the hospital added. He had worked as a missionary in Africa for nearly five decades, and had been helping to treat people with Ebola in Liberia. He was due to return to Spain for good in September.
May his soul rest in peace … amen!