Here is one sad social effect of the worsening Zika virus public health emergency: More babies suffering from the head deformity suspected to be linked to the virus may soon be abandoned by their mothers to children's centres in Brazil.
According to a report by The Daily Mail, Brazilian mothers are already feeling the pressure of raising babies with microcephaly, or abnormally small heads, due to the fact that they require round-the-clock care.
Due to their condition, these babies are highly sensitive to light and sound, and are prone to seizures. Brazilian moms, however, are not feeling their government's support for them to be able to deal with this condition.
"I feel completely alone. I love my baby, but honestly don't know how long I will manage to cope," an unnamed Brazilian mother was quoted by The Daily Mail as saying.
Even health care professionals are hearing complaints from mothers who have babies suffering from microcephaly.
"I have been alarmed by the number of mothers who are looking after their child alone, because the father simply decided to abandon the family. Without support from the state, I dread to think what the future holds for them," The Daily Mail quoted an anonymous paediatrician as saying.
Angela Rocha, the director of Recife's Oswaldo Cruz hospital infectious disease unit, likewise admitted that Brazilian mothers may not be able sufficiently cope with the demands of raising a child with microcephaly.
In fact, just last week, three babies with microcephaly were reportedly abandoned by their parents in just one district, Madureira in Rio de Janeiro.
"I'm extremely worried that, as time goes by, the emotional ties of the mothers to their babies will be broken, because of the fatigue and wearing out," Rocha said.
"The mothers' ability to cope and stay with their babies will depends much on each one's emotional and family structure, which for many of them is very fragile indeed," she added.
