By Tony Romeo

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – Pennsylvania officials have announced what they say is the state’s first confirmed case of a deer found to be suffering from a disorder similar to “mad cow” disease.

Pennsylvania Agriculture Secretary George Greig (center) (Credit: Tony Romeo)

Pennsylvania Agriculture Secretary George Greig says “Chronic Wasting Disease” (CWD) is a fatal disorder affecting deer and other animals in the “cervid” family, including moose and elk.

“There’s no scientific evidence that CWD can affect humans,” he said. “But the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention recommends that people or other animals do not eat any part of cervid diagnosed with or showing signs of CWD.”

The animal in question was found through random testing on a deer farm in Adams County, and the disease has not yet been confirmed in Pennsylvania’s wild deer population.

Hunters are advised to take precautions such as wearing gloves while field-dressing deer and washing thoroughly when they are finished.

Otherwise, they are free to enjoy hunting season.

For more information visit www.agriculture.state.pa.usor www.pgc.state.pa.us.