ZIKA virus is real! First European Zika Baby Born In Spain (pictures)

The first case of a baby born with the microcephaly birth defect linked to the Zika virus has been born in Europe.

The 41-year-old woman was diagnosed with the virus in May but decided to keep the baby and it was born today in Barcelona, according to health officials.

Medics said the baby was born with a microcephaly – an abnormally small head.

It is believed the mother contracted the virus during a trip to Colombia while she was 13 weeks pregnant. She also tested positive for Dengue fever.

The baby was born by caesarean section after 40 weeks of pregnancy.

This Zika birth comes just weeks before the Olympic Games begin in Brazil, where the virus originated.