The government believes the latest cases of foot-and-mouth disease afflicting livestock in the country since May 10 originated from Southeast Asia.

The agriculture ministry said on Wednesday that an analysis of the virus strain from the latest cases was found to be 98-point-nine-percent similar to the virus detected in Vietnam, Cambodia and other parts of the region.

While the entry route of the virus has yet to be confirmed, the ministry said that a related epidemiological study is under way.

Officials downplayed the chance of a nationwide transmission as 98-point-two percent of farm-bred cattle have been vaccinated and have formed antibodies.

Cattle movement in the affected regions of the central Chungcheong city of Cheongju, county of Jeungpyeong and seven nearby cities and counties have been banned for two weeks through May 30.

Authorities will also reinforce inspections of livestock products entering the country from Southeast Asia and other regions reporting the disease.