Chronic Wasting Disease Not Found In Maryland Deer

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) -- Maryland's Department of Natural Resources says chronic wasting disease was not found in any of the 278 deer tested this season.

The department announced test results on Thursday for the disease that attacks the brains of deer, elk and moose. The disease is not believed to affect humans, pets or livestock, but hunters are cautioned not to eat meat from sick animals.

State officials say only one deer in the state has tested positive, a deer that was killed in 2010 in Allegany County.

The DNR says it began testing for the disease in 1999 and has focused since 2010 on Allegany County and western Washington County because of cases found in nearby Virginia and West Virginia. Several cases have also been reported in Pennsylvania north of Allegany County.

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