An American camera man working for NBC news in Liberia has tested positive for Ebola.
The man, who was identified as Ashoka Mukpo, was reportedly working as a second camera man for the Network’s top medical reporter Dr. Nancy Snyderman, tested positive to the deadly Ebola Virus Disease on Thursday.
Ashoka, hired Tuesday, noticed symptoms of the disease on Wednesday; he felt “tired and achy” and a slight fever afterwards; he isolated himself and was taken to Medicins Sans Frontieres (MSF) treatment center where he was tested.
12 hours later, the tests result showed he was positive.
He will be flown to the US where he will be quarantined for 21 days.
A note from President Deborah Turness to NBC staff read:
“As you know, Dr. Nancy Snyderman and our news team are in Liberia covering the Ebola outbreak. One of the members of their crew is an American freelance cameraman who has worked in Liberia for the past three years and has recently been covering the epidemic for US media outlets. On Tuesday he began working with our team. Today (Thursday), he tested positive for Ebola.
“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 consulting with the CDC, Medecins Sans Frontieres and others.
And we are working with Dr. Nancy on the ground in Liberia.
“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.”