Carnival Preparations in Brazil Continues Despite Spreading Zika Virus

Brazil has maintained a festive atmosphere as it prepares for Carnival, despite the threat of the Zika virus and government efforts to stop it from spreading.

Daily Mail reported that round the clock fumigation is now being done in the country to kill Zika-carrying mosquitoes. But along with these measures are clear efforts from communities to live normal lives.

In Recife, the same report said that many people still took the streets for parties and colourful presentations.

According to Xinhua, the rapid spread of the virus is a growing concern for the local authorities in Brazil, since preparations are underway in various places for Carnival 2016.

But it claimed that these rehearsals were also used by the government to distribute flyers, which explain important facts about the Zika virus.

Aside from this, about 3,000 healthcare employees are also going house to house to determine areas where the Aedes could be thriving.

Because of the spread of the virus, residents have been advised to always use insect repellent and wear clothes that cover the entire body.

This disease has started to spread around the globe, causing fear among individuals, especially pregnant women.

The New York Times said that as of December 2015, the virus has been transmitted to about 45 countries in Asia, Africa, the Americas and Pacific Islands, based on a report from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

A similar CBS News report said that the mosquito-borne disease has been associated with giving birth to babies with very small heads and undeveloped brains, a condition dubbed as microcephaly.

Last year, more than 3,5000 women in Brazil had babies born with the said condition.

Meanwhile, China Central Television noted that along with the samba beat in Rio, Zika is also making a huge sound and impact in the entire country.

This has made authorities worry about the upcoming Carnival this month and the Olympic Archery games in August.

"The concern is all over Rio because it's a city for mega events. During the Carnival there'll be crowds of people from different parts of the world and from Brazil which can help the virus get in," said Rio Health Department spokesperson Marcos Vinicius Ferreira.

It was also noted that authorities in the country are exploring every option to stop the spread of the virus, since it can affect the tourism of the country.

Brazil still wants a lot of people to visit the country for this year's Summer Olympics.