Zika epidemic forever changes life for many Brazilians

Americas Now

Zika is no longer considered a national health emergency in Brazil as the number of cases have dropped dramatically. But the devastating disease permanently altered the existence of thousands of people.

Between 2015 and 2017 some 3000 babies in Brazil were born with a rare condition. Their heads were much smaller than normal and their brains weren’t fully developed. Doctors diagnosed those babies with “microcephaly,” a disorder caused by a variety of genetic and environmental factors. And these cases were linked to the Zika virus.

According to the World Health Organization, 45 potential vaccines are in the research-development pipeline. Several are in the beginning phases of clinical trials.

Correspondent Lucrecia Franco visited the city of Recife, one of the country’s most impacted areas. She tells us how the Brazilian city is grappling with the effects of the damaging disease.