Women claim legalization of abortion on Thursday night, on December 8, 2016. Avenida Paulista, São Paulo. NurPhoto SIPA USA/PA Images. All rights reserved.
Late last year, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared that the Zika virus was no longer an international medical emergency. The virus—which is spread by mosquitoes and sexually transmitted—does, however, continue to pose a “significant and enduring” threat. But for those working with and on behalf of the communities most at risk of Zika in Brazil, the emergency is far from over.
Although Zika is typically associated with mild symptoms in adults, its impact on pregnancy can be severe. According to the WHO, in Brazil alone there are over 2,100 confirmed cases of neurological disorders associated with Zika. The most common has been microcephaly, where babies are born with abnormally small heads and restricted brain development.
