Freelance videographer becomes 5th American victim to the impending Ebola epidemic
A cameraman freelancing for NBC News in Liberia tested positive for the Ebola virus and will return to the U.S. for treatment. The sickly American freelancer 33, who was hired Tuesday, was said to be the second cameraman for NBC News Chief Medical Editor and correspondent Dr. Nancy Snyderman.
The freelancer, who was with Snyderman and a few other NBC News employees, began feeling ill wednesday with symptoms of achiness and feeling lethargic. He followed routine and took his temperature, which proved he had a slight fever. Knowing the chances were high for being infected, he quickly quarantined himself and requested medical attention. Thursday morning he went to a Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) treatment center to undergo testing for the virus. A little under 12 hours he received news that he indeed was infected with the Ebola virus.
Snyderman spoke with Rachel Maddow Thursday evening and said “The good news is this young man, our colleague, was admitted very, very, early.” “He’s in good spirits.” She also stated herself and the team are going above and beyond CDC guidelines for the safety of themselves and others, she said herself and the NBC News team are doing well and not showing any symptoms of the virus.
The cameraman, who is also a writer has been working in Liberia on projects for the past three years. NBC News President Deborah Turness said in a letter to staff, “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,”
Below is the full text of the letter sent from Turness to the NBC News staff:
All:
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
TheSource.com will be bringing you breaking updates as this important story develops.
-Sara D.(@evolaras4real)
