US cameraman in Liberia diagnosed with Ebola

A burial team unloads an Ebola victim in Monrovia, Liberia, on 2 October 2014 More than 3,330 people have died in Africa from the deadly Ebola outbreak

A cameraman working in Liberia has tested positive for Ebola and is to be flown home to the US for treatment.

The 33-year-old freelancer has been working in the country for three years for a number of media outlets, most recently NBC News.

More than 3,330 people have died in four West African countries in what has become the world's worst outbreak.

President Barack Obama has pledged federal support to contain the spread in the US, after the first case there.

A Liberian man diagnosed in Texas on Tuesday remains in a serious condition.

The unnamed cameraman is the fourth American known to test positive for Ebola, all diagnosed in Liberia.

Three American aid workers were separately flown back to the US for treatment and they are all recovering.

The man was only hired by NBC News on Tuesday, the US broadcaster said, and he came down with symptoms - including fever and aches - the following day.

After seeking medical advice, he tested positive for the virus.

Thomas Eric Duncan Duncan was a driver for a courier company in Monrovia
Frankfurt University Hospital prepares to receive an Ebola patient from Africa Frankfurt University Hospital prepares to receive an Ebola patient from Africa

NBC News President Deborah Turness informed staff of the news in a statement.

"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 rest of the NBC crew including the network's chief medical editor, Dr Nancy Snyderman, are being flown back to the US on a private charter flight and will be placed under quarantine for 21 days, Ms Turness added.

Meanwhile, as many as 100 people in Texas are being checked for exposure to Ebola, after Thomas Eric Duncan, a Liberian national, was diagnosed with the virus in Dallas.

He flew to the US two weeks ago to visit relatives.

A number of them have been ordered to stay home while they are watched for signs of the disease.

A pedestrian in Dallas takes precautions near the hospital holding Mr Duncan A pedestrian in Dallas takes precautions near the hospital holding Mr Duncan
Food delivery to apartment Mr Duncan's relatives have to stay indoors

Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings was called by Mr Obama on Thursday who promised to help with whatever was needed from federal resources to stop it spreading.

Mr Duncan was the first person diagnosed on US soil and on Thursday, Liberian officials said they would prosecute him for lying on an Ebola questionnaire form prior to leaving the country.

Deputy Information Minister Isaac Jackson said Mr Duncan had "lied under oath about his Ebola status".

He is alleged to have taken a sick relative to a clinic.

In West Africa. the outbreak has prompted dire warnings of economic collapse if infection rates continue.

There have been 7,178 confirmed cases in total, with Sierra Leone, Liberia and Guinea suffering the most.

Leading charity Save the Children has warned that Ebola was spreading at a "terrifying rate" in West Africa, with the number of new recorded cases doubling every few weeks.

It said that a rate of five new Ebola cases an hour in Sierra Leone meant healthcare demands were far outstripping supply.

At a conference in London co-hosted with Sierra Leone, the UK called for urgent decisive action from the international community.

line
Ebola virus disease (EVD)
Ebola virus
  • Symptoms include high fever, bleeding and central nervous system damage
  • Spread by body fluids, such as blood and saliva
  • Fatality rate can reach 90% - but current outbreak has mortality rate of about 70%
  • Incubation period is two to 21 days
  • There is no proven vaccine or cure
  • Supportive care such as rehydrating patients who have diarrhoea and vomiting can help recovery
  • Fruit bats, a delicacy for some West Africans, are considered to be virus's natural host

Ebola virus: Busting the myths

More on This Story

Ebola outbreak

More US & Canada stories

RSS

Features & Analysis

  • President Bashar al AssadAnalysing Assad

    What does Syria's president really think about his country's civil war?


  • Antonia Eklund dancing with another womanHair, hips and heels

    Confessions of a British Carnival dancer in Rio


  • Dawn in SwedenLight up

    Swedish researchers look to help people through dark days


  • Visitors to Lahore festivalShow goes on

    The literary festival that breathes life into Lahore


Elsewhere on the BBC

  • HeartsHeart and head

    Falling in love – and suffering a broken heart – have some powerful effects on the body

Programmes

  • Sir Paul McCartneyClick Watch

    Sir Paul McCartney on how technology has changed music-making

Copyright © 2015 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read more.

This page is best viewed in an up-to-date web browser with style sheets (CSS) enabled. While you will be able to view the content of this page in your current browser, you will not be able to get the full visual experience. Please consider upgrading your browser software or enabling style sheets (CSS) if you are able to do so.