State Veterinarians are responsible for protecting human and animal health in the states they serve. Their duties include, but are not limited to, working with farmers and local veterinarians to ensure the health of livestock, working with all necessary officials to prevent the spread of disease including those that are zoonotic and working with Food Safety and Inspection Services (FSIS) to ensure the safety of meat intended for human consumption.
In the event of an infectious animal disease outbreak, the State Veterinarian will work with the USDA Area Veterinarian in Charge and APHIS to quarantine the infected animals, euthanize as necessary, dispose of the carcasses, disinfect the premises and conduct epidemiology studies. The State Veterinarian is also responsible for notifying the Governer. If necessary, the Governer will declare a State of Emergency, develop indemnity procedures and call on the Department of Homeland Security for assistance.