WASHINGTON (AFP) - A video released on Thursday showed the first health-care worker infected with Ebola in the United States looking lucid and smiling.

The 56-second video recorded at the Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas shows nurse Nina Pham having a brief conversation with her treating physician.

Ms Pham is being transferred from Texas to the National Institutes of Health in Maryland, just outside Washington. "Come to Maryland, everybody," she jokes.

The YouTube video, which was shot by the doctor, also shows another health-care worker in attendance, wearing a full mask and other protective gear. "I love you guys," an emotional Ms Pham says, as she wipes away tears. According to the hospital, Pham asked for the video to be posted.

Mr Pham was closely involved in the care of a Liberian man, Mr Thomas Eric Duncan, who was the first Ebola case diagnosed in the United States.

He died of Ebola on Oct 8 at the Texas hospital.