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Heartbreaking images reveal the reality of the Zika virus as infected babies reach their first birthdays

Doctors are finally understanding how the tots can be treated following outbreak of the virus two years ago

THE heartbreaking reality of Brazil's Zika outbreak is revealed in a series of pictures released as the first babies infected turn one.

Thousands of babies were infected in the womb with the mosquito-borne virus as it flourished in South America two years ago.

More than 2,000 Brazilian babies have suffered disabilities as a result of the Zika virus
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More than 2,000 Brazilian babies have suffered disabilities as a result of the Zika virusCredit: AP:Associated Press
Many of them are now celebrating their first birthdays
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Many of them are now celebrating their first birthdaysCredit: AP:Associated Press
The condition caused many of the affected babied to be born with abnormally small skulls
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The condition caused many of the affected babied to be born with abnormally small skullsCredit: AP:Associated Press
Scientists were only able to make the connection between mosquito-borne Zika and the health concerns when a spate of babies born with disabilities occurred around two years ago
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Scientists were only able to make the connection between mosquito-borne Zika and the health concerns when a spate of babies born with disabilities occurred around two years agoCredit: AP:Associated Press

Scientists were at first unaware of the link between deformities in newborns and the virus.

But as a number of children were born with microcephaly - a condition that causes babies to be born with smaller heads - the world's attention quickly turned to the horrifying virus.

More than 2,000 Brazilian babies have now been born with the debilitating disease.

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And scientists believe most of those contracted Zika while in their mother's womb.

Tiny Joe Wesley's mum breaks into tears as she describes her son's condition at a medical centre in the city of Recife.

She says: "It hurts me to see him like this. I didn't want this for him."
Some children were born with abnormally small heads.

Many babies are cared for a special centres like this one in the city of Recife
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Many babies are cared for a special centres like this one in the city of RecifeCredit: AP:Associated Press
Some mothers have spoken about how the disabilities only became apparent several months after birth
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Some mothers have spoken about how the disabilities only became apparent several months after birthCredit: AP:Associated Press
Expert Dr Vanessa Van der Linden said: "We may not even know about the ones with slight problems out there"
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Expert Dr Vanessa Van der Linden said: "We may not even know about the ones with slight problems out there"Credit: AP:Associated Press

But many were delivered perfectly healthy and only developed noticeable problems once they were a few months old.

One doctor who is battling to understand the disease worries about how many babies may be unknowingly affected by the condition.

Dr Vanessa Van der Linden said: "We may not even know about the ones with slight problems out there.

"We are writing the history of this disease."
One of those was Arthur Conceicao, who recently turned one.

Lucas Matheus, who was born with microcephaly, during his physical therapy session at the UPAE hospital in Caruaru, Pernambuco state
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Lucas Matheus, who was born with microcephaly, during his physical therapy session at the UPAE hospital in Caruaru, Pernambuco stateCredit: AP:Associated Press
Babies are now being given physical therapy sessions as doctors begin the understand the condition
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Babies are now being given physical therapy sessions as doctors begin the understand the conditionCredit: AP:Associated Press
Van der Linden added: "We are writing the history of this disease"
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Van der Linden added: "We are writing the history of this disease"Credit: AP:Associated Press

Little Arthur struggles to eat and suffers seizures every day. But his problems only became apparent after two months.

His mum Rozilene Ferreira explains: "It's every mom's dream to see their child open his mouth and eat well.

"At the end of the second month, beginning of the third, his head stopped growing.

"Bernardo was afflicted by the Zika virus after all. I was in despair."

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