HANOI, Feb. 25 (Xinhuanet) -- Dozens of healthy bulls and cows in Vietnam's central Phu Yen province have suddenly died after being stricken by an unidentified disease within one hour, local newspaper Labor reported Wednesday.

    The disease was detected in the province's Song Hinh district, where 17 bulls and cows of a farmer have died.

    The animals had difficulty in breathing for one hour, and then died with blood appearing on their eyes, noses, ears and anuses, the paper said.

    Earlier this month, the central province of Quang Nam announced an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease, which affected nearly 2,000 hoof cattle, mainly buffaloes, cows and bulls in 27 communes of six towns and districts.

    The provincial authorities killed affected pigs, banned transport of cattle in contaminated areas, vaccinated healthy hoof cattle, and tightened control over slaughterhouses and meat markets. Enditem