And why should we care what the U.N. thinks of us?

Addis Ababa (AFP) – UN chief Ban Ki-moon on Monday praised the “selfless” efforts of health workers in Ebola-hit countries Monday, and criticised quarantine restrictions put on those returning home.

Ban’s comments came after an American nurse was placed in quarantine in New Jersey after returning from treating patients in Sierra Leone and complained she was made to feel like a criminal.

“Returning health workers who have managed to avoid infection are exceptional people who are giving to humanity,” Ban said.

“They should not be subjected to restrictions that have no scientific basis. They should not be stigmatised for their selfless service.”

On Friday, US nurse Kaci Hickox was isolated in a tent outside the main hospital building at Newark International Airport in New Jersey and made to wear paper scrubs.

“I feel like my basic human rights have been violated,” Hickox said Saturday, insisting she had shown no symptoms and tested negative for the disease.