NBC’s chief medial correspondent Dr. Nancy Snyderman and her crew returned to the U.S. on a private charter last night, several hours after their colleague Ashoka Mukpo arrived for treatment of ebola at a hospital in Nebraska.
In a note to staff obtained by TVNewser, NBC News president Deborah Turness writes that Snyderman and her crew are “feeling well and are in good health.”
Even thought they are deemed “low risk,” the team will not come to work, and will be quarantined at home for 21 days where their temperatures will be taken twice a day. Turness writes: “As you saw in Dr. Nancy’s superb reporting from Liberia, she and the team have been incredibly cautious about protecting themselves and minimizing risk, and will continue to do so upon their return.”
Mukpo joined the NBC News team in Liberia as a freelance cameraman just last Tuesday. He began feeling sick on Wednesday and on Thursday was diagnosed with ebola.
Turness’ note after the jump…
Dear All,
I’d like to update you on our team that has been on the ground in Liberia.
As you all know, Ashoka Mukpo, the freelance cameraman who worked with our team, arrived at Nebraska Medical Center yesterday and is getting the very best care possible. We remain in close contact with his family who are deeply relieved that he is home, and they report that he is feeling strong.
Dr. Nancy Snyderman and team arrived in the United States last night on a charter flight, and were checked by a health official upon arrival. All are feeling well and are in good health. While they are deemed to be at low risk, we have agreed with state and local health authorities that our team will not come to work, and they will stay at home taking their temperatures twice daily and staying in touch with the local health authorities for the remainder of the recommended 21-day period.
We are following these procedures, working closely with the CDC and local health authorities. I am sure some of you will have additional questions. Please do not hesitate to reach out to me, David Verdi or Dr. Tanya Benenson, Comcast NBCUniversal’s Chief Medical Officer, at any time. For additional information on Ebola, please visit https://www.internationalsos.com/ebola/.
One of the proudest traditions of NBC News is that we are committed to covering the most important stories in the most challenging locations and conditions. Whether it’s a war zone, the scene of a natural disaster or an area that’s been afflicted with terrible disease, our brave and dedicated teams often put themselves in harm’s way. We always take extreme measures to ensure their safety, and this story has been no exception. As you saw in Dr. Nancy’s superb reporting from Liberia, she and the team have been incredibly cautious about protecting themselves and minimizing risk, and will continue to do so upon their return.
Please join me in thanking the team for their extraordinary and courageous work, and welcoming them back. We all look forward to seeing them soon.
Deborah