Three scientists who discovered the virus that causes hepatitis C will share the 2020 Nobel Prize in physiology or medicine. On Monday, the Nobel committee awarded the 1-million-dollar prize to Americans Harvey J. Alter and Charles M. Rice, and Briton Michael Houghton. The World Health Organization estimates that 71 million people worldwide have hepatitis C, the virus that causes cirrhosis and liver cancer. The Nobel Foundation has canceled the traditional banquet because of the COVID-19 pandemic. This year's winners will be invited to celebrate alongside the 2021 laureates if the pandemic eases by then.