Does eating poultry infected with H5N1, spread the disease?

From the CDC Q&A on Avian Flu:
"Is there a risk for becoming infected with avian influenza by eating poultry? 
There is no evidence that properly cooked poultry or eggs can be a
source of infection for avian influenza viruses."

"How do people become infected with avian influenza viruses? 
Most cases of avian influenza infection in humans have resulted from
direct or close contact with infected poultry (e.g., domesticated
chicken, ducks, and turkeys) or surfaces contaminated with secretions
and excretions from infected birds. The spread of avian influenza
viruses from an ill person to another person has been reported very
rarely, and transmission has not been observed to continue beyond one
person. During an outbreak of avian influenza among poultry, there is
a possible risk to people who have direct or close contact with
infected birds or with surfaces that have been contaminated with
secretions and excretions from infected birds."

http://www.cdc.gov/flu/avian/gen-info/qa.htm

The World Health Organization: Avian Flu Food Safety Issues page:
http://www.who.int/foodsafety/micro/avian/en/

Part of a WHO statement issued 5 December 2005:
"Chicken and other poultry are safe to eat if cooked properly. Cooking
of poultry at or above 70° Celsius throughout the product, so that
absolutely no meat remains raw and red, kills the bird flu virus. That
is true no matter where in the world you are - also in those areas
where outbreaks of avian flu are currently occurring. So even if a
live bird had been infected and mistakenly entered the food-chain,
properly cooking the bird ensures that all virus in the bird is
eliminated. Eggs are safe to eat, too, if you thoroughly cook the egg
so that it is not raw or runny. In areas where there is no bird flu
outbreak in poultry, there is no risk that consumers will be exposed
to the virus via the handling or consumption of poultry and poultry
products."

http://www.who.int/foodsafety/micro/Avian_videotext.pdf

The World Health Organization: Avian Flu Food Safety Issues page:
http://www.who.int/foodsafety/micro/avian/en/

The kids in Turkey died after eating infected chicken.
So, most likely, did that German cat.

And there was that Vietnamese guy who died after drinking a 'soup'
made of raw duck's blood and herbs.

As HardToFind pointed out, if thoroughly cooked it should be safe, but
bear in mind, it needs to be handled before cooking ...

We don't really know how virulent the virus really is, because it has
only infected people living in pretty primitive conditions.
It is quite possible that thousands of people have been infected and
shrugged it off as a minor indisposition.

We simply don't know.

The current H5N1 strain is not particularly worrying, probably more
people have died of bee stings since it appeared.

What is really scary is the possibility that it will mutate, in which
case it is not eating chicken that is dangerous, it is having any
contact with human beings.
The girl at the checkout is more dangerous than the chicken.