BRAZIL – If Brazilians are worried about the Zika virus, it clearly didn’t show during last weekend’s pre-Carnival celebrations.

The sun and heat brought thousands of people out into the streets of Brazil’s main cities. Carnival doesn’t officially start until Thursday, but it’s customary to start celebrations earlier. According to Brazilian state run news agency Agencia Brasil, as many as 300,000 revelers enjoyed the festivities in the center of Rio de Janeiro over the weekend.

Brazil is one of several South American countries where the Zika virus has spread in recent months. The World Health Organization is considering declaring a public health emergency, and is holding emergency meetings to discuss the mosquito-borne disease. However, Brazilians and tourists didn’t let the threat of the virus get in the way of their partying.

People sang and danced as they made their way through the city’s historic streets following ‘electric trios,’ or sound cars, where performers stand on top of big trucks flanked by massive sound systems. (CNN/photo: cnn.com)…[+]