Hanwoo refers to beef cattle produced in South Korea.

Local authorities have been rolling out quarantine measures in Anseong after the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs confirmed an FMD outbreak at a dairy farm.

The ministry said earlier in the day that no further outbreaks were observed in Anseong and neighboring areas but warned the disease has an incubation period of up to 14 days and can spread quickly if conditions are right.

The confirmed outbreak was the first reported FMD case this year.

On Monday, the ministry decided to cull 120 cows at the farm where the disease broke out.

A 24-hour lockdown has also been placed on all livestock farms within three kilometers of the affected farm through 8:30 p.m.

Tuesday, affecting 89 farms with about 4,900 animals in total.

The ministry said 440,000 cows in Anseong, along with 1.39 million cows and pigs in neighboring cities and towns, will receive vaccinations as soon as possible.

With the lunar new year holiday, during which South Koreans normally travel to other cities and regions to visit relatives, coming up next week, the government said it will take all possible steps to prevent the spread of the disease.

The ministry claimed it is especially important to fully prevent the spread of FMD in the next three weeks before it gets out of control. (Yonhap)