Learn about the 1907 outbreak of typhoid fever and "Typhoid Mary" in this book perfect to share with young readers interested in a historical perspective of the COVID-19 pandemic! Mary Mallon was a hardworking Irish cook hired by several of New York’s well-to-do families, but wherever she went, people around her caught typhoid, a dangerous illness. An epidemiologist figured out that Mallon was a carrier — she didn't show symptoms herself, but she could pass on the deadly bacteria.
But Mallon didn't understand how she could be making people sick if she wasn't sick herself, and she refused to stop working. It took multiple investigations by public health — including the help of pioneering doctor Sara Josephine Baker — and enforced quarantine to stop Mallon from spreading typhoid even further.
This engrossing story reveals the facts of how Mary unwittingly spread deadly bacteria, the ways an epidemiologist discovered her trail of infection, and how the health department ultimately decided her fate. This edition includes a new chapter about the COVID-19 pandemic, plus further resources for young readers curious about epidemiology and public health.
"An unusually attractive design incorporates many photographs, such artifacts as posters and cartoons, and sidebars. More than a chronological account, this exploration pays tribute to the power of public health measures and raises questions about the ethics of protecting the public by quarantining someone like Mallon, who sued for her freedom. A top-notch addition to the popular topic of deadly diseases." — Kirkus Reviews
Recommended Age | 10 and up |
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Author | Gail Jarrow |
ISBN | 1635925150 |
Publication Date | Sep 28, 2021 |
Publisher | Calkins Creek |
Language | English |