(a) The Secretary may cooperate with the Department of Agriculture of the United States or other properly constituted agency of the federal government, to eradicate or control any contagious or infectious disease among livestock or poultry in the State, if the agreement provides that any work shall be controlled by the State.

(b) In the event of an epidemic of contagious or infectious disease among livestock or poultry in the State, the Secretary may appoint the assistants necessary to suppress promptly the epidemic. The Secretary shall fix compensation for the assistants.