SEOUL - South Korea has decided to use vaccines to stem the spread of foot-and-mouth disease across the country, according to Seoul's Yonhap News Agency, citing official sources, on Wednesday.

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According to the sources, who spoke to Yonhap on the condition of anonymity, the government decided to vaccinate livestock as the latest outbreak of the disease has spread throughout three provinces, heading toward a "serious situation." The sources added that the extent of the vaccinations has not been settled due to various considerations that need to be checked.

Since the first outbreak of the animal disease was reported in Andong, North Gyeongsang Province, on Nov 29, the country has so far confirmed a total of 44 cases of the disease in its three provinces - North Gyeongsang, Gyeonggi and Gangwon.

The decision comes after the disease hit Gangwon Province for the first time, despite nationwide quarantine efforts. The Ministry for Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries said earlier in the day that cattle farms in Pyeongchang and Hwacheon, both in Gangwon Province, tested positive for the highly contagious disease.

The latest outbreak of the disease has forced the country to cull more than 224,000 animals.

South Korea used vaccines in 2000 to stem the then outbreak of the disease but has opted not to resort to the method in the years thereafter. Vaccinating 100,000 heads of cattle or pigs could cost 600 million won ($520,000) to 700 million won, although the number of shots that may have to be administered could go up. There are about 13 million heads of cattle and pigs in the country.