Photos: Investigating the Zika virus in Brazil

Dr. Megumi Itoh, a researcher with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, shows Sabrina Mateus where her baby's head measurement falls on a growth chart. The infant has microcephaly.

Dr. Megumi Itoh, a researcher with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, shows Sabrina Mateus where her baby’s head measurement falls on a growth chart. The infant has microcephaly.

  (Katie Falkenberg / Los Angeles Times)

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Researchers from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Brazilian health authorities fanned out in the state of Paraiba to study the link between the Zika virus and a surge in babies born with abnormally small heads.

Sao Vicente do Serido

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

  (Katie Falkenberg / Los Angeles Times)

Sao Vicente do Serido

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

Juazeirinho

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

  (Katie Falkenberg / Los Angeles Times)

Juazeirinho

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

  (Katie Falkenberg / Los Angeles Times)

Campina Grande

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

  (Katie Falkenberg / Los Angeles Times)

Juazeirinho

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

  (Katie Falkenberg / Los Angeles Times)

Juazeirinho

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

  (Katie Falkenberg / Los Angeles Times)

Sao Vicente do Serido

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

  (Katie Falkenberg / Los Angeles Times)

Juazeirinho

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

  (Katie Falkenberg / Los Angeles Times)

Sao Vicente do Serido

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

  (Katie Falkenberg / Los Angeles Times)

Sao Vicente do Serido

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

  (Katie Falkenberg / Los Angeles Times)

Juazeirinho

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

  (Katie Falkenberg / Los Angeles Times)