Poultry is safe from H7N9 if cooked properly, official says

Ministry investigation shows virus found in markets, not on farms

All poultry purchased at established markets and properly cooked is safe to eat during the Spring Festival holiday since the H7N9 bird flu virus has not yet been found in the country's poultry farms, a senior agricultural official said.

"It is not necessary to give up those delicious poultry dishes made of chicken, duck and goose when relatives and friends get together during the upcoming holiday," said Zhang Zhongqiu, the official in charge of the veterinary department at the Ministry of Agriculture, said on Jan 29.