The world’s biggest Carnival burst into life on Friday night in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.<br /><br /> Samba groups kicked off proceedings at the Sambadrome for the first event. Second-tier dance troupes, competing to win a place in the main parade at next year’s Carnival.<br /><br /> “It is a big responsibility, a big responsibility (to be the opening group of the Carnival). But it’s so great to be opening Carnival on the right foot. This Carnival will be wonderful,” said one dancer.<br /><br /> PHOTO: Carnival in South America has begun! MCampodo took this photo in Uruguay: https://t.co/ExVXZV23ro pic.twitter.com/1kJrXW9bcJ— The Associated Press (AP) February 6, 2016<br /><br /> This year’s carnival bursts into life at a time when Brazil is gripped by concern by the Zika virus.<br /><br /> In the the northern city of Olinda, the mosquito-borne virus has become the theme of one of the opening events.<br /><br /> Children paraded through the town – which is located near the city of Recife, which has been called of the ‘ground zero’ of Zika infect
