The husband of the Spanish nursing assistant, Teresa Romero, who overcame Ebola, has left the hospital where he has been held in quarantine for three weeks.

Javier Limon accused Madrid’s regional health minister of showing his wife “a lack of respect” by claiming she did not know how to properly protect herself:

“We’re in a new phase now. It’s time to take responsibility and clear Teresa’s name. She was never responsible, she can only be accused of love for her profession and for other people. Teresa volunteered to help and put her life at risk.”

Teresa Romero became the first person to contract the Ebola virus in Europe after treating patients who had returned from Sierra Leone.

Limon also said officials gave him no opportunity to oppose the decision to euthanise their pet dog Excalibur. This led to violent clashes by activists.

Health authorities feared a risk of transmission, however Limon claims they missed an opportunity to study whether Ebola can be transmitted by animals.