State of Maine, nurse who went to Africa at odds over Ebola quarantine

CNN -- Not long ago, Kaci Hickox was fighting Ebola in West Africa, doing what she could to treat those with the deadly disease. Now, she's in the middle of a different fight -- in the middle of Maine.

A Maine official said late Wednesday afternoon that the state is in the process of filing a court order to require Hickox to abide by a 21-day quarantine. This measure is meant to prevent her from spreading Ebola, given her hands-on role with the deadly virus.

Nurse refuses Ebola quarantine rules In a written statement, Gov. Paul LePage said Hickox "has been unwilling to follow the protocols set forth by the Maine CDC and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control for medical workers who have been in contact with Ebola patients." The statement didn't say which protocols she was resisting but added LePage is seeking legal authority to enforce a quarantine.

 Nurse facing mandatory quarantine Obama: The U.S. does not 'run and hide' Photos: The Ebola epidemic Photos: The Ebola epidemic Mandatory Ebola quarantine for military And on Tuesday, state health commissioner Mary Mayhew said, "If an individual who came in direct contact with Ebola patients has returned to Maine and is not willing to avoid public contact and stay in their home voluntarily during the period they are at some risk, we will take additional measures and pursue appropriate authority to ensure they make no public contact."

Yet Hickox -- a Doctors Without Borders volunteer in Sierra Leone who has twice tested negative for Ebola -- isn't ready to stay put.

'I remain appalled by these home quarantine policies'

"I don't plan on sticking to the guidelines," she said Wednesday on NBC's "Today" show, referring to Maine' officials' plan for her to remain quarantined at home through November 10. "I remain appalled by these home quarantine policies that have been forced upon me."

One of Hickox's lawyers, Norm Siegel, told NBC's Matt Lauer state officials had until Thursday to adjust their approach, and if they tried to physically apprehend Hickox, her legal team would take the matter to court.

President Barack Obama has been vocal in recent days against policies such as quarantines or travel bans based more on fear than scientific fact. While he did not mention Hickox by name, he said Wednesday that health care workers like her -- who risk their lives and livelihoods by going to West Africa, to help those in need and try to curb the deadly outbreak -- are "heroes" who "deserve to be treated with dignity and respect."

By Greg Botelho, Jason Hanna and Ashley Fantz, CNN