• Three scientists - Americans Harvey J Alter and Charles M Rice, and British scientist Michael Houghton - won the 2020 Nobel Price for Medicine or Physiology on Monday for the discovery of the Hepatitis C virus.
• This landmark achievement in the ongoing battle against viral diseases are now available and these have essentially eliminated post-transfusion hepatitis in many parts of the world, greatly improving global health. 
• Their discovery also allowed the rapid development of antiviral drugs directed at hepatitis C. For the first time in history, the disease can now be cured, raising hopes of eradicating the Hepatitis C virus from the world population. 
• To achieve this goal, international efforts facilitating blood testing and making antiviral drugs available across the globe will be required.

• Liver inflammation, or hepatitis, a combination of the Greek words for liver and inflammation, is mainly caused by viral infections, although alcohol abuse, environmental toxins and autoimmune disease are also important causes. 
• In the 1940’s, it became clear that there are two main types of infectious hepatitis. The first, named hepatitis A, is transmitted by polluted water or food and generally has little long-term impact on the patient. 
• The second type is transmitted through blood and bodily fluids and represents a much more serious threat since it can lead to a chronic condition, with the development of cirrhosis and liver cancer.
• This form of hepatitis is insidious, as otherwise healthy individuals can be silently infected for many years before serious complications arise. 
• Blood-borne hepatitis is associated with significant morbidity and mortality, and causes more than a million deaths per year world-wide, thus making it a global health concern on a scale comparable to HIV-infection and tuberculosis.

• While the discovery of hepatitis viruses, including hepatitis A and B had been critical steps forward, the majority of blood-borne hepatitis cases remained unexplained. 
• The identification of the hepatitis C virus was significant as it revealed the cause of the remaining cases of chronic hepatitis. 
• The discovery of the HCV also led to the development of diagnostic tests such as blood tests and new effective medicines, saving millions of lives.

There are 5 main hepatitis viruses

• Hepatitis A virus (HAV): It is present in the faeces of infected persons and is most often transmitted through consumption of contaminated water or food. Certain sex practices can also spread HAV. 
• Hepatitis B virus (HBV): It is a viral infection that causes both acute and chronic disease. The virus is transmitted through exposure to infective blood, semen, and other body fluids. It can be transmitted from infected mothers to infants at the time of birth or from family member to infant in early childhood. 
• Hepatitis C virus (HCV): It is mostly transmitted through exposure to infective blood. The virus can cause both acute and chronic hepatitis infection. Sexual transmission of the virus is possible.
• Hepatitis D virus (HDV): Infections occur only in those who are infected with HBV. Hepatitis B vaccines provide protection from HDV infection. It is passed on through contact with infected blood. 
• Hepatitis E virus (HEV): It is mostly transmitted through consumption of contaminated water or food. It is caused by the hepatitis E virus: a non-enveloped, positive-sense, single-stranded ribonucleic acid (RNA) virus.

India and Hepatitis

• Viral hepatitis is increasingly being recognized as a public health problem in India.
• HAV and HEV are important causes of acute viral hepatitis and Acute Liver Failure (ALF).

National Viral Hepatitis Control Program (NVHCP)

• Launched by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in 2018 under National Health Mission.

Aim:

• Combat hepatitis and achieve country wide elimination of Hepatitis C by 2030;
• Achieve significant reduction in the infected population, morbidity and mortality associated with Hepatitis B and C viz. Cirrhosis and Hepato-cellular carcinoma (liver cancer);
• Reduce the risk, morbidity and mortality due to Hepatitis A and E.

Nobel Prize in Medicine or Physiology 
Some of the important points pertaining to the Nobel Prize in Medicine are listed below.

• It is awarded every year by the Nobel Foundation for discoveries done in the field of medicine.
• The award is presented by the Nobel Assembly at the Karolinska Institute, located in Stockholm, Sweden.
• The Nobel Prize consists of a certificate for a monetary award of 9 million SEK (Swedish Krona), a medal along with a diploma.
• As of 2019, 110 Nobel prizes have been awarded. It was won by 207 men and 12 women.
• The 1st Nobel Prize in Medicine was awarded in 1901.
• The 1st Nobel Prize in Medicine was won by German Physiologist Emil Von Behring, for his exemplary contribution for serum therapy thereby developing a vaccine against diphtheria. 
• Gerty Cori was the 1st woman to be awarded the Nobel Prize in Medicine in 1947.

Nobel Prize in Medicine – 2020 Winners: Three scientists - Americans Harvey J Alter and Charles M Rice, and British scientist Michael Houghton - won the 2020 Nobel Price for Medicine or Physiology on Monday for the discovery of the Hepatitis C virus.