From WHO:
Exposure is considered most likely during slaughter, defeathering, butchering, and preparation of poultry for cooking.
There is no evidence that properly cooked poultry or eggs can be a source of infection.
Does the virus spread easily from birds to humans?
No. Though more than 100 human cases have occurred in the current outbreak, this is a small number compared with the huge number of birds affected and the numerous associated opportunities for human exposure, especially in areas where backyard flocks are common. It is not presently understood why some people, and not others, become infected following similar exposures.
http://www.who.int/csr/disease/avian_influenza/avian_faqs/en/index.html
Living in a poultry producing region such as I do, this stuff is not taken lightly.
Evrn if it doesn't mutate to a human problem, it will be a major human problem because such an outbreak could decimate the economy of this area. Only 50 miles north of me is the county that produces the most broiler/fryers in the country. Only 20 miles south of me is one of Perdue's largest processing plants in the country, and I live only about 4 miles from one of Tyson's largest plants in the region (I won't mention the 150,000 chickens currently residing across the road from me).........
I've got no connection to the industry other than being a major consumer, but this is not a laughing matter and we've all been talking about it for years.
"No. Though more than 100 human cases have occurred in the current outbreak, this is a small number compared with the huge number of birds affected and the numerous associated opportunities for human exposure, especially in areas where backyard flocks are common. It is not presently understood why some people, and not others, become infected following similar exposures."
Let's not pour water on a perfectly good hysteria.