• We found the prevalence of MRSA in people in contact with livestock (14.2%) was significantly higher than that of the general population (0.8-1.3%). • Animals contact and intensity of animals contact were associated with increased risk of MRSA carriage. • Our findings suggest that there may be transmission of MRSA between animals and humans. American journal of infection control. 2015 May 1;43(5):469-75.