Alex Hindson, head of enterprise risk management at Aon Global Risk Consulting, said while health risks are unpredictable, the possibility that an outbreak could turn into a pandemic means businesses need to review their continuity management arrangements.

Businesses, he said, need to make sure plans have been updated and key staff trained. Absences need to be addressed, including remote working and hygiene control. One point he stressed is that businesses should be running drills to make sure people know what to do if the challenges to running the business become difficult.

Gisele Norris, national director Aon Healthcare, Alternative Risk Practice, noted that in a worst-case scenario, a pandemic producing widespread absenteeism would not be covered under a company's business interruption insurance because it only covers property loss. However, other insurance that could be affected might include workers' compensation, but that would depend on the type of business, so it is not applicable to everyone.

Also, employers could see employees take time under the Family Leave Act to deal with sick family members, she noted.

Employee Assistance Programs could also see an increase in demand as employers use these services to discuss symptoms, anxiety or depression from concern with the flu.

The current flu strain is seen as worrisome because normally flu outbreaks are fatal only for the very young or old while this strain, so far, is killing people between the ages of 15 and 44, which is unusual.

She stressed that this is something to be watched, but not something to panic over.

"Don't panic, and be aware of what is happening," she said.

From a risk management standpoint, Michael Liebowitz, director of risk management for New York University, said that businesses need to take some initiative at this point, contacting personnel who may be in Mexico and informing them of the outbreak. Those in Mexico should be brought back and any plans to visit the country should be curtailed at this time.

Both he and William C. Kostner, risk manager for the city of Lincoln, Neb., said the most important things people need to do are recognize the symptoms and practice proper hygiene to help curb the spread of the flu.

"These things are happening more often," said Mr. Kostner adding that serious flu outbreaks are happening just as often as catastrophic weather events.

There is no test to check for the flu, said Mr. Liebowitz. He said the best defense besides following hygiene and watching symptoms is to make educated decisions on what to do.

Additional information on the outbreak is available at www.cdc.gov/swineflu/.