From 1915 to 1938, Mary Mallen, also known as "Typhoid Mary," was locked up due to her role as a carrier of typhoid fever. Mary Mallen was a cook who unknowingly spread the disease to numerous people through the food she prepared.

After several outbreaks of typhoid fever in the households where Mary worked, she was identified as the common link. Health officials discovered that Mary was a carrier of the disease, showing no symptoms herself but capable of infecting others. Despite being given opportunities to change her habits and prevent further outbreaks, Mary continued to work as a cook and put others at risk.

As a result, Mary Mallen was quarantined and kept in isolation for over two decades to prevent her from spreading typhoid fever. Her case brought attention to the importance of public health regulations and the need to control the spread of infectious diseases.

During her time in isolation, Mary Mallen became a symbol of the dangers of infectious diseases and the importance of proper hygiene and sanitation. Her story serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of ignoring public health guidelines and the impact one individual can have on the health of a community.

To learn more about the story of Mary Mallen and the history of typhoid fever, you can visit websites such as History.com or CDC.gov. These resources provide in-depth information about the impact of Mary Mallen's actions and the measures taken to prevent the spread of infectious diseases.

In conclusion, Mary Mallen was locked up from 1915 to 1938 due to her role as a carrier of typhoid fever and the risk she posed to public health. Her case highlighted the importance of public health regulations and the need to control the spread of infectious diseases to protect the well-being of society as a whole.

Sign Up