The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) says that it is highly likely that foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) has broken out in North Korea and that it is preparing related emergency aid.

The FAO said on Radio Free Asia (RFA) that it is waiting for an official acknowledgment by North Korea about FMD outbreaks, as the disease is spreading in Northeast Asia.

The U.S.-funded broadcaster went on to say that FAO preparations are being made due to reports that FMD is spreading in the reclusive nation.

The FAO sent some 430-thousand dollars in emergency aid between 2007 and 2009 to combat FMD in North Korea.