The outbreak of Zika virus makes the world a terrifying place to travel in, but there are fortunately some surprisingly simple ways to avoid the disease.

Officials have recommended that travelers going to the Caribbean or Central and South America should take special precautions.

Officials are advising pregnant women, or women who are trying to become pregnant, to consider not going on the trip at all. Zika presents a tremendous risk for a fetus in pregnancy.

But if you do go, there are a few ways to prevent transmission.

First, wear a condom during sex, as Zika can be transmitted sexually.

Make sure there is running water and flushable toilets, as moquitoes like to live in areas without these systems. Mosquitoes breed in standing water.

Use long-lasting bug repellant, wear long clothes, try to stay indoors, use mosquito nets, and take other actions to prevent coming in contact with mosquitoes as much as possible.

“Most people infected with Zika virus won’t even know they have the disease because they won’t have symptoms,” the CDC says. “The most common symptoms of Zika are fever, rash, joint pain, or conjunctivitis (red eyes). Other common symptoms include muscle pain and headache. The incubation period (the time from exposure to symptoms) for Zika virus disease is not known, but is likely to be a few days to a week. See your doctor or other healthcare provider if you are pregnant and develop a fever, rash, joint pain, or red eyes within 2 weeks after traveling to a place where Zika has been reported. Be sure to tell your doctor or other healthcare provider where you traveled.
The illness is usually mild with symptoms lasting for several days to a week.”