With which disease is the name of Mary Mallon associated?

Typhoid

Mary Mallon is associated with the disease (a) Typhoid.

Mary Mallon, also known as "Typhoid Mary," was an Irish-born cook who gained notoriety in the early 20th century as a carrier of the bacteria Salmonella typhi, which causes typhoid fever. She was asymptomatic herself, but she unknowingly spread the disease to numerous people through her cooking.

Mary Mallon worked as a cook for various families in New York City, and wherever she went, outbreaks of typhoid fever seemed to follow. After an investigation, it was discovered that she was an asymptomatic carrier of the bacteria, meaning she carried the bacteria in her body without showing any signs of illness.

Due to her role in spreading the disease, Mary Mallon was forcibly isolated for a total of 26 years, spending most of that time in quarantine. This was a controversial decision, as it raised ethical questions about individual rights and public health.

Mary Mallon's case highlighted the importance of identifying carriers of infectious diseases and implementing measures to prevent further transmission. Her story serves as a cautionary tale about the potential dangers of unknowingly spreading infectious diseases, even without exhibiting symptoms oneself.