BEIJING - Poultry is safe to eat provided it is properly handled and cooked, according to a joint study group on 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, said the study group.

The group was jointly organized by the Ministry of Agriculture and the World Organization for Animal Health.

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

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

They said China had responded adequately to the challenges of the H7N9 avian flu.

The group also suggested that more efforts should be done to better monitor poultry markets and farms, as well as ensure financial and material supply for veterinary agencies and laboratories in the country.