Chinese authorities are reported to have slaughtered at least 2,000 cows at dairy farms in Yanqing district, northwest of Beijing to stop the spread of foot-and-mouth disease, according to the South China Morning Post, citing interviews with local residents. An official with China's Office of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine would not confirm the Post's report. Earlier this month, China reported outbreaks of foot and mouth in the eastern cities of Tai'an and Wuxi, but none near Beijing in the country's north.