Photos: Investigating the Zika virus in Brazil

Dr. Megumi Itoh measures the head of 5-month-old Adrielly Rufino.

Maria Girdielly holds her baby, Adrielly Rufino, so Dr. Megumi Itoh can photograph the back of her head.  (Katie Falkenberg / Los Angeles Times)

Phlebotomist Veronica Dantas takes a blood sample from 6-month-old Karlos da Silva.

Phlebotomist Veronica Dantas prepares tubes for blood samples she will collect for a study on Zika and microcephaly.

Blood samples collected from new mothers and their babies are prepared for analysis.

Reasearchers confer with nurse Denelda Meidra, who is holding 4-month-old Maria Alicia, as the baby’s mother, Maria Aparcida, watches.

Dr. Megumi Itoh uses a notebook to keep track of the patients the researchers have visited and those still to be seen.

Sabrina Mateus holds her 2-month-old son, William Alves, while she is interviewed for a study about Zika and microcephaly.

Marcia de Andrade, a nurse with the Brazilian Health Ministry, interviews a mother who gave birth to a baby with microcephaly.

Nurse Marcia de Andrade speaks to the mother of a research subject.

Mariane Rodrigues, left, and her 4-month-old daughter, Emilly, are part of the control group for the study.

Eloisa de Oclaceo, 6 months, holds onto Dr. Megumi Itoh before her blood is drawn.