Typhoid Mary

The most famous carrier was Mary Mallon (Typhoid Mary ) who worked as a cook in New York City, USA, using various assumed names and moving through several different households. She caused at least 10 outbreaks with 51 cases of typhoid fever and 3 deaths. To protect the public, she was kept in detention for 23 years. 

Agent Index A340 Class Index C26 Typhoid Feve Salmonella typhi Type Bacteria Insidious onset of sustained fever, severe headache, malaise, loss of appetite, and usually constipation (although it may cause diarrhea). Individuals may become asymptomatic carriers capable of spreading the disease (e.g. Typhoid Mary). Routes Ingestion Secondary Hazards Fecal Vector (mechanical) Incubation 3 to 90 days Mortality Rate < 10% Reservoir Humans Direct Person-to-Person Transmission is possible (fecal/oral). 

The term carrier may also be applied to a person who is infected with a disease organism, but who shows no signs of the disease. Typhoid Mary was a cook in New York City who appeared to be healthy although she carried the typhoid bacillus. An investigation showed that she transmitted typhoid fever to at least 100 other people before it was discovered that she was a carrier. 

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