Veterinarians are nearly eight times as likely to carry livestock-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus as people who do not work with animals, and the odds ratios are almost 12 for people who work on cattle ranches and more than 15 for people who work on swine farms, according to a study in Occupational & Environmental Medicine. Precautions include keeping cuts and open wounds clean and covered, wearing protective clothing, including gloves, and regularly washing hands.