– Viral fears –
Given its economic and political woes, Brazil hardly needed another crisis. But the Aedes aegypti mosquito, which carries the Zika virus blamed for causing brain damage and abnormally small heads in babies, gatecrashed the party.
Adding to the fear of mosquito-transmitted infections are unconfirmed reports that the virus may also be spread through contact with human saliva and blood.
Earlier this week, US health officials confirmed the first case of sexually-transmitted Zika, involving a person who had travelled to Venezuela and infected a sexual partner in Texas upon return.
To fight back, Brazilian authorities have sent out the army and municipal health workers across the country to tackle mosquito breeding sites and to educate the public.
The Sambadrome was fumigated ahead of the Carnival and similar fumigating teams will deploy through the city before the Olympics start in exactly six months.
Many in Brazil, especially expectant mothers, are spooked.
Sales of repellant are up sharply, manufacturers, say, with one brand, Osler, reporting an 800 percent increase in the December 2015-January 2016 period, year on year.
Ketleen Oliveira Silva, 25, said she is eight months pregnant, but carefully protected herself before coming to the open air event at the Sambadrome.
“I even put repellent on my make-up,” she said. “I’m ready for the fiesta.”
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