Mary Mallon (September 23, 1869 – November 11, 1938), better known as Typhoid Mary, was a woman who was identified as a carrier of typhus and has been identified as patient zero of several outbreaks. Mary was employed as a cook which resulted in her spreading the bacteria. She is considered responsible for the infection of at least 51 individuals and the deaths of at least 3.[1] Despite this, Mary was found to be immune to the bacteria, making her a carrier for the disease. She was forcibly quarantined twice due to her refusal to maintain hygiene while preparing food.

References[edit]

  1. The New York Times. November 12, 1938. Retrieved February 28, 2010. "Mary Mallon, the first carrier of typhoid bacilli identified in America and consequently known as Typhoid Mary, died yesterday in Riverside Hospital on North Brother Island." http://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9E07E4DF133DE433A65751C1A9679D946994D6CF