A North Korean quarantine official says efforts have been stepped up to prevent a possible outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in the communist country.

In an interview with official broadcaster Chosun Central TV Sunday, the official said preventive measures have been put in place, even though the country has yet to discover a case of the disease.

The move apparently comes after China and Russia culled hundreds of cattle due to a recent rash of infections.

Foot-and-mouth disease is usually not fatal but is nevertheless dangerously contagious among cattle.

The official urged all farmers to have their livestock vaccinated and to immediately report any suspected cases of infection.