What life is like after Zika

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What life is like after Zika

Emil Lendof

featured

Oct 21, 2016

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, who was sitting up and eating solid foods before a seizure several months ago left her virtually motionless

Jusikelly da Silva poses with her daughter Luhandra, who was born with microcephaly, one of many serious medical problems that can be caused by congenital Zika syndrome, in Recife, Brazil. Silva says she is desperate to get a brain scan for Luhandra. AP

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The image became emblematic of Brazil's Zika epidemic amid a surge of babies being born with unusually small heads in the country's northeast.

Solange Ferreira holds her 1-year-old son Jose Wesley Campos, who was born with microcephaly, in Bonito, Brazil. The boy came to be known as the “bucket baby” because of a photo of him in a bucket of water to help him calm down. AP

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Brazil Zika Family Portraits Photo Gallery

Angelica Pereira kisses her daughter Luiza, who was born with microcephaly, in Santa Cruz do Capibaribe, Brazil. “There are so many of us with children with special needs,” said the mom. “(The government) is forgetting about that.” AP

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Santos is one of the few mothers who lives within walking distance of a rehabilitation center.

Vanessa dos Santos with her son, Enzo, who was born with microcephaly, in Recife, Brazil. Enzo is eating and gaining weight, but he has to take medication to control convulsions and still has difficulties with movements. AP

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Rozilene Ferreira poses with her 1-year-old son, Arthur Conceicao, who was born with microcephaly, in Recife, Brazil. Doctors and researchers have seen many microcephaly babies develop swallowing difficulties, epileptic seizures and vision and hearing problems. AP

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Elisson Campos with his 1-year-old brother, Jose Wesley Campos, who was born with microcephaly, in Bonito, Brazil. Elisson is very close to his brother. AP

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Diana Felix and Carlos Alberto Dias pose with their son, Ezequiel, who was born with microcephaly, in Recife, Brazil. Dias stopped working to help Felix care for their four children. Ezequiel’s therapy sessions and medical appointments can be as often as five times a week. AP

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Daniele Ferreira dos Santos holds her son Juan Pedro, who was born with microcephaly, in Recife, Brazil. Santos’ mother and older daughter often take turns caring for Juan Pedro. His father left a few weeks after he was born. AP

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APTOPIX Brazil Zika Family Portraits Photo Gallery

Rosana Alves holds her daughter Luana, who was born with microcephaly, in Recife, Brazil. Alves has three daughters and has left work to take care of Luana, who has special leg braces to help position her feet. AP

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Willamis was having swallowing problems and not gaining weight, so a feeding tube was introduced, which in less than a month he pulled out a couple of times.

Tatiane do Nascimento holds her son Willamis Silva, who was born with microcephaly, in Recife, Brazil. Barbosa, who has two other children, says she used to take Williamis daily to the hospital or physical therapy, but now they are going two or three times a week. AP

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Dana gave the mothers the prints but preserved the negatives, later bleaching and scanning them so they mirrored the images taken home.

Infants born with microcephaly, with their mothers or a family member, in Brazil. AP photographer Felipe Dana has followed these babies from hospitals to their cribs. Dana used an instant film so families could immediately see and keep the photos. AP

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