Beijing, Apr 30 (IANS): Denying having come across any evidence of anyone getting infected with bird flu virus by consuming poultry or eggs, an expert group has declared poultry to be safe for eating in China.

According to the group, jointly organised by Chinese ministry of agriculture and the world organisation for animal health, poultry has been found to be safe to eat, provided, it is properly handled and cooked, Xinhua reported Monday.

To date, there has been no evidence to indicate that anyone has been infected with the H7N9 bird flu virus following the consumption of poultry or eggs, the group said.

Fearing a bird flu outbreak, the Chinese government had ordered the culling of poultry in some areas and the safe disposal of the animals to prevent them from entering the food chain as well as the feed chain.

The study group, comprising experts on veterinary epidemiology, new avian diseases and policies for disease prevention and control, began working in China April 25 and detected no virus in poultry farms.

The group has also suggested more efforts to made to better monitor poultry markets and farms, as well as ensuring financial and material supply for veterinary agencies and laboratories in the country.