Nancy Snyderman on NBC cameraman with Ebola: 'The amount of virus in his body is low'

Dr. Nancy Snyderman, NBC News chief medical editor and correspondent, says the freelance cameraman who tested positive for Ebola while reporting with her on the outbreak in Liberia has a good chance of recovery.

Ashoka Mukpo, the 33-year-old freelancer, was hired Tuesday to be a second cameraman for Snyderman in Monrovia. On Wednesday, Mukpo began feeling tired and achy and had a slight fever. He was immediately quarantined, and tested positive for Ebola.

"He should have a very good prognosis," Snyderman said on the "Today" show via phone from Monrovia; "the amount of virus in his body is low."

Mukpo, the fifth American to be infected with Ebola in West Africa, will be evacuated to the United States on Sunday for treatment.

Mukpo's family say they are optimistic about their son's recovery, and that he is in good spirits.

"Obviously he is scared and worried," Dr. Mitchell Levy, the father of the 33-year-old, said on "Today."

Levy said Mukpo has been doing human rights work in West Africa for the past several years, and "felt compelled to return to Liberia to help shed light" on how the Ebola crisis was being handled.

"He has been seeing the death and tragedy, and now it really hits home for him," Levy said. "But his spirits are better today."

NBC News President Deborah Turness wrote in a note to staffers, "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."

Snyderman said she and three other NBC News employees are feeling well and not showing any Ebola symptoms, but will be evacuated and self-quarantined for 21 days to make sure they do not come down with the virus.

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