HANOI, Jan. 8 (Xinhua) -- There have been 232 buffaloes and cows infected with the foot-and-mouth disease in the past two weeks in Vietnam's northern province of Lang Son, said an official report on Friday.

    The disease has broken out in six districts of the province, according to the Department of Animal Health under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

    The department said local authority is taking measures to prevent the spread of the disease.

    Currently, Vietnam has five provinces affected by the foot-and-mouth disease including Kien Giang in the south, the central Phu Yen province, and three northern provinces namely Son La, Cao Bangand the newly-reported Lang Son.