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Nearly three years after an epidemic of zika in Brazil caused thousands of cases of microcephaly and other devastating birth defects in newborns, Reuters returned to monitor mothers and their children.
The Zika virus, the first virus transmitted by mosquitoes and capable of damaging developing fetuses, has since disappeared headlines, but global health officials fear that it will spread to new populations . In Angola, dozens of babies born with microcephaly since 2017 seem linked to the same strain of Zika that struck Latin America.
In northeastern Brazil, we talked to about 30 mothers who contracted the Zika virus during pregnancy. Most of them have been abandoned by their husbands and must look after their children alone.
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Many women have largely adapted to the initial shock of their child's disability, exchanging their dreams of their own careers against the reality of 24-hour care for a child who may never speak or walk.
Many people have trouble getting out with a monthly check of their disability of just over 954 reais (about $ 250), which must cover shelter, food, medications and the transportation for frequent visits to the doctor.
Some seek comfort from mothers whose children share the same illness. Others have expressed gratitude for family members or friends who offer a break from the daily routine. Many have confessed to despair and depression, and some have thought of suicide. But they share a fierce love for their children and hope for a better life.
Four of them gave us a glimpse of their daily lives in simple homes located in the suburbs of Recife and Olinda, two cities in the state of Pernambuco.
Gabriela Alves de Azevedo, 22, lives outside Olinda with her daughter, Ana Sophia, who is three years old.
Ana Sophia has microcephaly, a rare congenital anomaly characterized by a small head size that signifies brain development stopped during gestation. Before Zika, such congenital anomalies had never been associated with a mosquito-borne disease. In addition to developmental problems, Ana Sophia has vision and hearing problems as well as difficulty swallowing.
Gabriela had planned to finish high school and study physical therapy. Now she spends her days caring for her child. Her husband left shortly after the birth of Ana Sophia. Gabriela says he could not accept the condition of their child and did not pay child support.
"I fell into depression and my family helped me," she said. "If it was not for them, I would have gone crazy."
Today, some parents provide moral support and Ana Sophia's paternal grandmother takes care of her day-to-day care.
Gabriela is doing physiotherapy exercises at home with her daughter and thinks her health has improved.
"Today, I treat my daughter as a normal child. I know that she has her disability, but I claim that this is not the case.
Gleyse Kelly da Silva, 28, received help from her husband and mother to take care of Maria Giovanna "Gigi" da Silva, three years old. But the burden is still heavy and she has been forced to leave her job as a toll attendant.
After the birth of Gigi, many consultations with medical teams were organized to try to understand all the implications of Zika. These visits are less frequent, but Gigi's medical problems are considerable.
"She does not sit down alone, she does not roll, she does not do anything alone," Gleyse said.
Gigi needs an orthopedist, but there is not enough to go around, she is still on the waiting lists.
Gleyse has trouble getting around in his daughter's wheelchair. Few buses have lifts in working order and some drivers have refused to help.
"People do not respect my daughter's rights," she said. Other mothers told him similar stories, including a bus passenger who refused to ride with "this demon," referring to a baby with microcephaly.
These struggles led Gleyse to participate in the creation of the Mothers' Union, which provides advice and logistical support to mothers of children with microcephaly. The group now serves more than 250 families in Pernambuco.
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Gleyse says that some mothers have abandoned their children because of the many difficulties, sending them to live with grandparents or other family members. She is determined to make a place in the world for children like Gigi. His advice to other mothers: "Never give up."
A few years ago, Jackeline Vieira de Souza, 28, of Olinda, was beaten to overcome a very rare complication related to an earlier pregnancy, and then survived cancer.
"My dream was to become a mother again," she says.
In 2015, she had her wish. But during her pregnancy, she learned that her son, Daniel Vieira de Oliveira, was suffering from microcephaly.
"When he was born, I fell in love with him because I knew it would be a good thing in my life, even with the hardships I would have to face."
Daniel's father was separated from Jackeline shortly after learning that his son was suffering from microcephaly. He pays a small amount of family support every month, in addition to a monthly check that Jackeline receives from the government.
It takes several hours by bus between their home in Olinda and Recife, where Daniel is being treated. Lately, these trips are a little less frequent and Jackeline think that Daniel's health is more stable.
She does not have the illusion that her son will walk, eat alone or lead a normal life. Yet, in many ways, she is grateful for her "miracle" baby, which, she says, makes her feel "happier and more accomplished."
Rosana Vieira Alves, 28, has three daughters, but almost all her attention goes to her youngest daughter, Luana Vieira da Silva, who is three years old.
"It's hard to manage girls. Some of them are jealous, but Luana needs more attention. With time, they will understand. "
Rosana does not have any family support and is overwhelmed by Luana's cost of housing and medication. She sees in it a victory that she has managed to get a wheelchair for Luana and worries about the four surgeries that her daughter needs to correct her eye, bowel problems and the position of her hips and her feet.
The requests led Rosana into dark places and she admits to considering suicide. But she still dreams of a better future and hopes to get a degree in accounting or civil engineering.
"I'm sure one day I'll get there," she said.
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