As the weather warms and people take vacations from school and work, minds may shift to travel plans. Those with passports may find they can travel just about anywhere in the world to see the sights and soak up the culture of various lands. Travelers should be aware to keep safety in mind whenever traveling, especially as it pertains to personal health.

The Zika virus remains a cause for concern when traveling to regions beyond North America. People who plan to travel overseas, especially those who are pregnant or immunocompromised, should take precautions against Zika, advises the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Zika is a mosquito-borne disease that proliferates in damp, muggy climates, particularly along the Gulf Coast and areas of Latin America. Brazil was a notable epicenter of Zika activity in 2015. While the disease can be spread through mosquito bites, it also can be passed from person to person through sexual activity.

The CDC says there is no vaccine to prevent infection with the Zika virus. While most people, even those bitten by an infected mosquito, may be fine and experience few to no symptoms at all, the disease is particularly scary for pregnant women. Zika can be passed to the fetus and cause various birth defects. It has been linked to microcephaly in the unborn child, a condition in which the infant’s head is abnormally small and the brain is underdeveloped.

The CDC offers a Zika Travel Information interactive map that shows current areas of outbreak, as well as past areas and those where Zika infection is unlikely. Anyone concerned about Zika is urged to visit wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/page/zika-travel-information to help determine safe travel destinations.

For those who have just returned from a Zika-prone area, signs of the disease can include fever and rash, muscle and joint pain, headache, and conjunctivitis. Report any concerns to a doctor.