Guinea reports Ebola death toll rises to 78

CONAKRY, Guinea – Health authorities in the West African nation of Guinea say at least 78 people now have died after contracting the Ebola virus.

Victims develop several internal and external bleeding from the virus, which has no cure.

Guinea’s Health Ministry says the disease first emerged in the forests of southern Guinea and then spread to the capital of some 2 million people after an infected patient travelled there with his family.

Neighbouring Senegal has closed its land border with Guinea to keep the virus from spreading further. Liberia has confirmed two cases, including one death.

Senegalese music superstar Youssou Ndour cancelled a weekend concert in the Guinean capital because it would bring a large crowd together.

The Ebola outbreak is the first of its kind in West Africa in two decades.