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As concerns about the Zika virus rise among women of childbearing age in the United States, Joseph Biggio, M.D., director of the University of Alabama at Birmingham Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, wants those who are pregnant or trying to conceive to take precautions.

Biggio states, "Women who are traveling to tropical or subtropical areas should discuss plans with their physician prior to going on these trips. If a woman is pregnant or is trying to become pregnant, travel may need to be delayed, and those who have recently traveled to such an area should contact her physician for testing, whether symptoms are present or not."