An NBC News freelance second cameraman on assignment in Liberia has been diagnosed with Ebola, the network’s president Deborah Turness stated in a note to employees on Thursday.
The freelancer’s name was not disclosed, only that he is a 33-year-old American who is set to fly home to the United States for treatment.
“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,” read Turness’ memo 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,” the memo read.
On Tuesday, Snyderman’s report from a Liberian hospital aired on NBC’s Nightly News, where the network’s chief medical editor narrated a video dispatch (see below) on the disease. In the video, Snyderman can be seen donning protective gear as she reported from an “Ebola Isolation Unit” at the medical area.
“One of our team in Liberia tested positive for Ebola. He’s getting good care &we are self quarantined. Appreciate all the support @nbcnews,” wrote Snyderman on Twitter shortly after the disclosure was published on the NBC News website.
An NBC News rep declined to elaborate on the memo.
