Today In History March 27th

On March 27, 1938, Mary Mallon, more commonly known as "Typhoid Mary," was once again placed on quarantine by health authorities. This was not the first time Mallon had been isolated due to her carrier status of typhoid fever, a bacterial infection that can be spread through contaminated food and water.

Mary Mallon first gained infamy in the early 20th century when she was identified as the source of several typhoid outbreaks in the New York City area. An Irish immigrant and cook by profession, Mallon was unknowingly spreading the disease to those who consumed the food she prepared. Eventually, health officials tracked her down and isolated her in 1907, although she was released after promising not to work as a cook again.

However, Mallon continued to work in kitchens under assumed names, leading to more outbreaks of typhoid. In 1915, she was once again apprehended and placed in quarantine on North Brother Island in New York City. She remained there for over two decades until her death in 1938.

The case of Typhoid Mary raised important questions about public health and individual rights. While Mallon herself was a carrier of the disease and a danger to others, she also resisted being isolated and argued that she had not intentionally spread the infection. Her story remains a cautionary tale about the importance of disease control measures and the need for cooperation between individuals and health authorities.

Sources:
History.com
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