BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) -- Chronic wasting disease has been found in North Dakota for the first time.

The state Game and Fish Department says a mule deer killed by a hunter last fall in western Sioux County tested positive. The county is in south central North Dakota.

CWD affects the nervous system of members of the deer family and is always fatal. It has been found in several other states and Canadian provinces, and North Dakota wildlife officials have been testing for it.

Since the department's sampling efforts began in 2002, more than 14,000 deer, elk and moose have tested negative for chronic wasting.

Scientists have found no evidence that the disease can be transmitted naturally to people or livestock.

Copyright 2010 The AP.