Malaysia is to step up measures to curb a foot-and-mouth outbreak affecting livestock across the country.

Deputy Agriculture Minister Shariff Omar said the country's veterinary department would increase vaccinations and step up biosecurity and quarantine measures after the disease was found in all states in peninsular Malaysia.

"The (disease) ... has spread to all states in peninsular Malaysia, so because of that we have to step up vaccinations and biosecurity measures and quarantine the animals ..." Shariff told AFP .

He said the steps were necessary "to make sure this disease is under control".

The minister said 1,800 cows, buffaloes, goats, sheep and pigs had been found to be infected with foot-and-mouth disease up until the month of December.

He said the outbreak had started earlier in the year, but did not specify the month.

"It's very isolated cases, so that's why we have to control it," he said.

Shariff said the campaign to curb the disease included creating awareness about the disease amongst farmers to reduce the impact on local producers.

"We want to protect the industry," he said.