Who is famously known as Typhoid Mary?

Typhoid Mary refers to Mary Mallon, who is recognized as a famous chronic carrier of Salmonella Typhi, the bacterium responsible for typhoid fever. She was significant in public health history because she was asymptomatic, meaning she did not show symptoms of the disease while still being able to transmit the pathogen to others. This led to numerous outbreaks of typhoid fever in the early 1900s, notably in New York City, highlighting the importance of understanding carriers in epidemiology and disease prevention.

Her case underscored critical lessons about hygiene, public health, and food safety, contributing to changes in health practices regarding food preparation and the management of disease outbreaks. Typhoid Mary's story has since become a symbol in discussions of public health ethics and individual rights versus community safety.