The Zika virus was by far "the leading health news story of 2016." It began when "mysterious, severe birth defects" were reported in Brazilian newborns -- a condition known as microcephaly. Doctors quickly managed to link the defects to the maternal infection with mosquito-borne Zika during pregnancy. The Zika panic began to subside by autumn after the height of mosquito season but it still poses a real threat. Opioid painkiller addictions were also at the top of the news, especially when musician Prince died in June from an overdose. According to the CDC, more than 2 million Americans are currently addicted to the drugs, which include Oxycontin, Vicodin and heroin.
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