Typhoid Mary

Typhoid Mary was a woman named Mary Mallon who, in the early 1900s, unknowingly carried and spread typhoid fever, a bacterial infection causing symptoms like fever, weakness, and stomach issues. She was healthy herself but infected others through her work as a cook, contaminating food with bacteria. Despite repeated warnings, she refused to stop working in kitchens, leading health officials to isolate her to prevent further outbreaks. Her case highlighted the importance of hygiene and understanding asymptomatic carriers in controlling infectious diseases.