About the Animal Health Division

The health of Missouri's livestock is enviable among states. Our stringent animal health regulations and rigorous disease testing help keep Missouri free from costly and threatening livestock diseases. The Animal Health Division, under the direction of the state veterinarian, is responsible for controlling, eradicating and testing for livestock disease in Missouri. This is accomplished through testing, vaccinations and regulatory programs involving cattle, swine, horses, poultry, exotic animals, sheep, goats and small animals as provided under the Diseased Animal Law.

Animal Health News and Updates

The health of Missouri's livestock is enviable among states. Our stringent animal health regulations and rigorous disease testing help keep Missouri free from costly and threatening livestock diseases. The Animal Health Division, under the direction of the state veterinarian, is responsible for controlling, eradicating and testing for livestock disease in Missouri.

H1N1 Influenza

Updated - April 27, 2009

Frequently Asked Questions – Swine and Human Cases of H1N1 Influenza

Do any swine have the virus that has infected people in the U.S.?
There is no evidence at this time that swine populations in the world are infected with this virus strain.

Can I get this strain of virus from eating pork or pork products?
No. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the H1N1 influenza virus is not transmitted by food – you cannot get the H1N1 flu from eating pork or pork products.

Can I get this H1N1 flu by touching pork that is not yet cooked?
There is no evidence at this time that the virus is in swine or that touching uncooked pork could infect someone with the virus.

What type of testing and monitoring is taking place to ensure swine is not infected with the virus?
A network of federal officials, state animal health officials and private practitioners are regularly involved in monitoring swine in the U.S. for signs of significant diseases.

For more information visit:

• Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services
• Center for Disease Control
• U.S. Department of Agriculture

Animal Health Status Update

Contagious equine metritis (CEM) is a transmissible venereal disease of horses caused by the bacterium Taylorella equigenitalis. It is commonly transmitted directly between undetected CEM-positive breeding mares and stallions. Transmission may also occur indirectly by artificial insemination or contact with fomites, such as contaminated hands or instruments. Mares usually fail to conceive or may rarely abort; stallions usually exhibit no clinical signs. Diagnosis is based on culture and serology and a treatment protocol has been established.

Currently there are 11 confirmed positive stallions and 3 mares. The positive stallions are located in Indiana, Kentucky, Texas and Wisconsin. The positive mares are located in California, Wisconsin and Illinois. There are 614 exposed mares and stallions located in 45 states that are either waiting to be tested or awaiting results. Another nine exposed horses are still actively being traced.

Missouri currently has 7 exposed mares in the testing process, however none are confirmed positive.

Please contact the Animal Health Division at (573) 751-3377 if you suspect an animal may have CEM.

Click here for information on CEM from USDA's Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service