NBC Cameraman Ebola Case: American Employee Contracts Deadly Disease
Another American has contracted Ebola. Ashoka Mukpo, a freelance cameraman working with NBC News in Liberia, reported feeling sick on Wednesday and was later diagnosed with the virus that has ravaged West Africa. He and the NBC News team will be airlifted out of Liberia.
Mukpo, 33, was hired on Tuesday to work alongside NBC News Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Nancy Snyderman and her team in the West African nation, according to NBC News. The next day Mukpo reported not feeling well and had a slight fever. Fearing Ebola, he self-quarantined and sought medical help.
He then went to a medical facility operated by Medecins Sans Frontieres on Thursday morning, where he tested positive for the Ebola virus. The rest of the team has been quarantined and are monitoring their health.
"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," NBC News President Deborah Turness said in a message to NBC employees.
"We are also taking all possible measures to protect our employees and the general public," Turness said. "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."
Speaking with Rachel Maddow on MSNBC, Dr. Nancy Snyderman said Mukpo contracted the disease before he began working with her crew, according to the Boston Herald.
"The good news is this young man, our colleague, was admitted to the clinic very, very early," she said. "I spoke with him today. He's in good spirits. He's ready to get home -- of course, appropriately concerned. But he will be airlifted out soon."
He is the fourth American to be infected with the disease.
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