Last night news broke of a freelance NBC News cameraman who contracted the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) and now he has been identified as 33-year-old Ashoka Mukpo. Mukpo was hired Tuesday to be a second cameraman for NBC News Chief Medical Editor and Correspondent Dr. Nancy Snyderman who is in Monrovia covering the outbreak.

nbcAccording to NBC News, Mr. Mukpo came down with symptoms on Wednesday, 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. On Thursday morning, Mukpo went to a Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) treatment center to be tested for the virus. The positive result came back just under 12 hours later.

Mukpo has been working freelance in Liberia for the past 3 years. Physicians say they are optimistic about his prognosis.

In a note to staff, NBC News President Deborah Turness said: “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 also taking all possible measures to protect our employees and the general public,” Turness added in the note. “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.”

Watch the interview of Dr. Nancy Snyderman last night on The Rachel Maddow Show:

nbc2