Final answer:
Typhoid Mary, real name Mary Mallon, was an asymptomatic carrier of typhoid fever who infected 51 people, exemplifying the difference between 'illness' and 'disease'. Her case raises ethical questions about individual responsibilities and public health.
Step-by-step explanation:
Mary Mallon, also known as Typhoid Mary, was an Irish immigrant who worked as a cook in New York during the early 20th century. She was the first person in the United States identified as an asymptomatic carrier of the pathogen causing typhoid fever. Mallon unwittingly infected at least 51 people with typhoid fever, resulting in three deaths. Her case exemplifies the difference between illness, which she did not experience, and disease, which she unwittingly carried and transmitted. The ethical implications of her situation inquire about the responsibilities of an individual to change behavior to protect others. Her story also explores the challenges faced when personal freedom and public health interests collide.