Health authorities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo say nearly 80 people have died from a disease of unknown origin in recent weeks in the country.

The authorities of the central African country say the disease that causes flu-like symptoms has spread in the southwestern province of Kwango since October 24.

They say 376 patients have been confirmed so far, and 79 of them have died. A majority of the dead were reportedly in their late teens.

They say symptoms include fever, headache, runny nose, coughs, difficulty breathing and anemia.

The government has sent a team of experts to the region and is looking into the cause in cooperation with the World Health Organization.

Health officials are calling on the residents there to be thorough in taking basic prevention measures, such as avoiding crowded places and washing hands with soap.