Typhoid Mary (Mary Mallon)

Typhoid Mary, or Mary Mallon, was an Irish immigrant cook in the early 1900s who became the first known asymptomatic carrier of typhoid fever. She unknowingly spread the disease to others, leading to over 250 infections, including several deaths. Health authorities eventually quarantined her in 1907 to prevent further outbreaks. Despite her protests, she spent nearly three decades in isolation before dying in 1938. Her case highlighted the importance of understanding asymptomatic carriers in public health and raised ethical questions about individual rights versus community safety. "Typhoid Mary" has since become a term for someone who unknowingly spreads disease.