The Canadian Food Inspection Agency confirms mad cow disease has been found in Alberta province.

It is Canada's eighth case of mad cow disease since 2003, and the fifth case this year.

The CFIA says the cow is estimated to be between eight and 10 years of age. The cow is believed to have contracted the disease before Canada banned the use of protein form ruminants, or the use of cattle parts in feed.

Health experts believe mad cow disease, or bovine spongiform encephalopathy, is contracted by eating contaminated feed.

The CFIA says no part of the diseased cow entered the human food chain, or animal feed systems.

The agency has launched an investigation to determine where the cow was born.