FACTBOX: Companies react to flu fears

(Reuters) - Companies are implementing travel restrictions in response to a potential flu pandemic that has claimed 149 lives in Mexico, and are poised to take more disruptive safety measures if necessary.

These are among the precautions being taken:

GENZYME CORP (GENZ.O)

Says travel to, from and within Mexico is currently prohibited. The maker of drugs for rare genetic disorders has above 40 employees in Mexico City and continues to operate in the area and ship therapies to patients.

CME GROUP INC

Distributing Centers for Disease Control information on the swine flu outbreak and other flu prevention tips to employees and members. Said it has an established business continuity team that coordinates specific plans for a variety of scenarios, including a pandemic.

GOOGLE INC (GOOG.O)

Closed its Mexico City office for the day, citing "an abundance of caution." Declined to comment on number of employees that work at the location, its only one in Mexico, nor how long the closure would last.

XEROX CORP (XRX.N)

Told employees who have visited Mexico for work or holiday not to come to work for 72 hours, the virus's incubation period. Posted hygiene tips on internal Websites.

DUPONT CO (DD.N)

Suspended travel to and from Mexico until May 6, when it will be re-evaluated. "Travel within Mexico is business critical only, and only if the employee is willing to travel," spokesman Anthony Farina told Reuters.

ERNST & YOUNG

Closed section of New York office after saying an employee had swine flu, but later said it could not confirm it was a verified case. Stepped up cleaning throughout its Times Square tower and said in a memo workers should feel free to work from home. Told employees on assignment or holiday in Mexico to consider returning home.

NOKIA (NOK1V.HE)

"Yesterday we gave new travel instructions because of the swine flu. The new guidance is that all non-essential travel from and to Mexico should be postponed for the time being," said Finland's Nokia, the world's largest mobile handset maker, which employs 3,500 in Mexico, mostly at a plant in Reynosa.