Madrid, October 7 (RHC)-- A nurse in Spain, who treated two Ebola victims at a Madrid hospital, has become the first person to contract the deadly virus outside of West Africa where the epidemic claimed the lives of thousands.

According to local sources, she was admitted into hospital on Monday with a high fever and was placed in isolation. Spanish health officials said the nurse who is yet to be named has proved positive for the virus following two rounds of tests.

The nurse was part of the specialist team who treated two priests at Madrid's Carlos III hospital, who contracted the deadly virus in Africa and were sent back to Spain. Currently a further 30 health workers and other people who came in contact with her are now being monitored for symptoms.

"At the moment we are investigating the way in which the professional was infected," said the head of Madrid's primary health care services, Antonio Alemany, at a press conference. Alemany added: "We have started studying all of the contacts the patient had since her symptoms began, including the health professionals who have been treating her."

Health officials in Madrid said that the Spanish nurse went on holiday shortly after one of the priests died on September 25th and began to feel sick on September 30th. According to health authorities, she is currently in stable condition.