Radio Free Asia says that North Korea has banned travel to and from Pyongyang in a desperate effort to contain the spread of foot-and-mouth disease.

The Washington-funded broadcaster quoted a source familiar with North Korean affairs as saying that the North Korean government has completely halted the issuance of travel passes to Pyongyang, as foot-and-mouth disease has been spreading in the capital city.

Radio Free Asia added that a checkpoint located between Pyongyang and Pyeongseong is banning provincial cars from entering the capital city.

The Voice of America said that the North American Foot-and-Mouth Disease Vaccine Bank is willing to consider providing vaccines to North Korea if the communist country requests.

A spokesman for the U.S. Agriculture Department said that North Korea has yet to make any request for vaccines. He added that if the North asks for assistance, the vaccine bank jointly run by the U.S., Canada and Mexico will make a decision on the provision of vaccines to North Korea in consideration of costs and availability.