An NBC News cameraman has been infected with Ebola, it was announced on Thursday.
The freelancer was working in Liberia when he tested positive for the deadly virus, according to NBCNews.com.
The 33-year-old American came down with symptoms on Wednesday, and was said to be feeling tired and achy. As part of a routine temperature check, he discovered he was running a slight fever. He immediately quarantined himself and sought medical advice, according to NBC News.
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The unidentified cameraman was on assignment for NBC News chief medical editor and correspondent Dr. Nancy Snyderman at the time.
He was taken to the Medicins Sans Frontieres (MSF) treatment center, where he tested positive for the virus less than 12 hours later.
“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 note to staff.
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Turness went on to say: “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.”
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Meanwhile on Wednesday, it was revealed that Thomas Eric Duncan was the first person to be diagnosed on American soil after being treated at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital in Dallas. Public health officials in Texas have said Duncan, who is Liberian, may have come in contact with as many as 100 people before he was placed in isolation.
The Ebola epidemic has claimed over 3,300 lives in Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea to date, with an estimated 7,157 people infected.
Read the full statement from NBC News president Deborah Turness below.
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, 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, Medicins 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.
We know you share our concern for our colleagues and we will continue to keep you up to date and informed. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to me or David Verdi with any questions.
Deborah