WASHINGTON (AFP) - One of the two nurses infected with Ebola while treating the Liberian patient in Dallas who died Oct 8 is now faring better, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) said on Tuesday.

"Ms (Nina) Pham's clinical status has been upgraded from fair to good. No additional details are available at this time," said the NIH, located outside Washington, in a brief statement.

Emory Hospital in Atlanta, Georgia, which is treating the second nurse, Amber Vinson so far has not given an update on her condition. Her mother said on Monday she remained weak, without offering further details.

Meanwhile, a US photojournalist said he was grateful to be alive after the hospital treating him declared him free of Ebola, in a minor victory over the virus that has killed more than 4,500 people.

Mr Ashoka Mukpo, who was working as a freelance cameraman for NBC News in Monrovia, Liberia when he fell ill, will go home on Wednesday. He is also expected to speak to the media.

Eight people including Mr Mukpo have or are being treated for Ebola in the United States; one of whom, a man from Liberia, has died.