An American cameraman has tested positive for the Ebola virus while working with NBC News in West Africa, NBC reports. The cameraman, 33-year-old Ashoka Mukpo, was hired by NBC as a second videographer to assist the network’s chief medical editor and correspondent Dr. Nancy Snyderman in Liberia while she covered news about the outbreak.
Mukpo was hired on Tuesday and began showing symptoms on Wednesday, feeling tired and achy. After quarantining himself he sought medical advice at Medecins Sans Frontieres Treatment Center and was diagnosed 12 hours later.
Snyderman told Today show anchor Matt Lauer on Friday (Oct. 3) that Mukpo “should have a very good prognosis” considering that the amount of Ebola he has is low.
Mukpo is the fifth American to test positive for the Ebola virus and be evacuated from West Africa. He will be returning to the states to receive treatment.
Deborah Turness, NBC News president, has issue a not to the NBC staff saying:
“We are doing everything we can to get him the best care possible. He will be flown back to the United States for treatment at a medical center that is equipped to handle Ebola patients.
We are also taking all possible measures to protect our employees and the general public. The rest of the crew, including Dr. Nancy, are being closely monitored and show no symptoms or warning signs. However, in an abundance of caution, we will fly them back on a private charter flight and then they will place themselves under quarantine in the United States for 21 days — which is at the most conservative end of the spectrum of medical guidance.”