South Korea's agricultural ministry said Wednesday it plans to complete the vaccination of cattle against lumpy skin disease (LSD) by early next month, as it strives to contain the nationwide spread of the disease.

The announcement came as confirmed LSD cases in cattle rose to 29 as of Wednesday morning, with health authorities expecting additional confirmed cases in the coming weeks.

"Considering the three weeks needed to develop protective antibodies against the disease, if the nationwide vaccination program is completed without delay, the outbreak trend will be stabilized within November," the agricultural ministry said.

South Korea reported its first-ever outbreak of the disease Friday. Since then, confirmed cases have been on the rise, with seven suspected cases currently under investigation.

Meanwhile, health authorities are investigating how the virus entered the country, including the possibility that infected mosquitoes were transported by air current or ships.

The disease, which does not affect humans, is a highly infectious disease that causes skin lesions, fever and loss of appetite, often leading to a fall in milk production and even death. It affects cattle and buffalo via mosquitoes and other blood-feeding insects. (Yonhap)