HANOI, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- The foot-and-mouth disease in livestock occurred in the northern Ha Giang province of Vietnam, bringing the total infected provinces in the country to 12, according to the department of animal health of Vietnam's Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development on Tuesday.

    The disease has struck 12 communes in three districts of the province, leaving 172 livestock infected with the foot-and-mouth disease, said the department.

    The provincial health officials are taking measures to prevent the spread of the disease.

    Currently, Vietnam reports 12 provinces hit by the foot-and-mouth disease including five northern provinces of Tuyen Quang, Yen Bai, Son La, Quang Ninh and the newly-reported Ha Giang, two central highland provinces of Dak Nong, Dak Lak, and five central provinces of Nghe An, Quang Tri, Quang Nam, Quang Ngai and Quang Binh, said the department.