Question

Mary Mallon infected fifty-one people with typhoid fever, three of whom died. What is ironic about this fact is that:

A. She eventually died of the disease herself
B. She was born with all of the symptoms of the disease
C. She did not develop symptoms of the disease until she was fifty years old
D. She herself never had any of the symptoms of the disease

Answer 1

Mary Mallon, also known as Typhoid Mary, was an asymptomatic carrier of typhoid fever who infected 51 people without ever showing symptoms of the disease herself.

Step-by-step explanation:

The irony about Mary Mallon, known as Typhoid Mary, infecting fifty-one people with typhoid fever is that she herself never had any of the symptoms of the disease. Despite being a carrier of the pathogen that causes typhoid fever, Mallon never became ill, making it difficult for her to believe she was the source of the infection. Her lack of symptoms led to a disregard for the health advisories, and after her first release from quarantine, she continued to work as a cook, subsequently causing more outbreaks. This historical case highlights the complexity of managing infectious diseases, particularly with asymptomatic carriers.