An American freelance cameraman working for NBC News has tested positive for Ebola and is returning to the U.S. for treatment.

The 33-year-old freelancer tested positive for the deadly disease on Thursday while on assignment in Monrovia, the capital of Liberia, NBC News said in an e-mailed statement. The cameraman, whose identity is being withheld by NBC at the request of his family, was working with a three-person crew working alongside Dr. Nancy Snyderman, the network newscast's chief medical editor and correspondent.

NBC News says the man is the fourth American to have contracted Ebola in Liberia, a West African country hard-hit by the largest-ever outbreak that has already claimed more than 3,300 lives. The freelancer, who is also a writer, has been working on various projects for the past three years, according to the statement. He was hired by NBC News on Tuesday to be a second cameraman and 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.

The cameraman quarantined himself and sought medical advice. On Thursday morning, NBC News said the man sought treatment at a center operated by Médecins Sans Frontières, also known as Doctors Without Borders. NBC News said it is also consulting with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

“We are doing everything we can to get him the best care possible," NBC News President Deborah Turness said in a note to staff. "He will be flown back to the United States for treatment at a medical center that is equipped to handle Ebola patients.”

One of our team in Liberia tested positive for Ebola. He's getting good care &we are self quarantined. Appreciate all the support @nbcnews — Dr. Nancy Snyderman (@DrNancyNBCNEWS) October 3, 2014

Snyderman and her crew are to return to the U.S. on a private chartered plane and place themselves under quarantine for 21 days, Turness said. They are being closely monitored for any symptoms of the disease, she said.

Ebola symptoms, including fever, soar throat, muscle pain and headaches, appear two days to three weeks after contracting the virus, which causes vomiting, diarrhea, rashes and, eventually, internal and external bleeding. The virus kills between 50 percent and 90 percent of those infected.

“We are also taking all possible measures to protect our employees and the general public,” Turness said.