It is carnival time, well it soon will be. Friday February 13 marks the beginning of the world’s biggest and best – in Brazil.

But this year, aware of the no-holds-barred celebrations, the government is backing a campaign urging safe sex.

Fake profiles have been created on dating Apps Tinder and Hornet which purport to belong revellers interested in unprotected sex. When users contact them they receive warning messages about the dangers.

Brazil’s Health Minister Arthur Chioro, explained:

“We need to reach young people. Heterosexual as well as homosexual young people. And to reach them today, with a direct, informative language, that clears things up, and calls on adolescents and young people to have safe sex that respects their partners

In addition to the apps campaign the government is also calling on people to be tested for AIDS.

And along with television commercials, officials say some 70 million condoms will be distributed nationwide during the five-day celebrations.