A Connecticut man, Richard Pawulski, tragically passed away after a five-year battle with Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE), a rare and often fatal mosquito-borne virus. Pawulski, 49, contracted the disease in 2019 after being bitten by an infected mosquito while doing yard work in his wooded backyard in Colchester.
At a glance:
- Richard Pawulski, 49, died five years after contracting Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) from a mosquito bite in his backyard.
- EEE is a rare but deadly virus that affects the brain, and recent cases in the U.S. have alarmed health officials.
- Pawulski’s death follows a five-year battle with complications from the virus, including traumatic brain injury and organ failure.
EEE is a serious disease that can lead to rapid physical decline, brain swelling, and lifelong disabilities if it doesn’t prove fatal. In Pawulski’s case, the infection caused a cascade of medical complications, including seizures, liver and kidney failure, and recurrent pneumonia. His daughter, Amellia, shared how quickly her father’s life changed after the mosquito bite, noting, “Your life can change in the blink of an eye.”
Richard Pawulski initially fell ill just a day after noticing a mosquito bite, suffering from severe headaches and vomiting. Emergency surgery was required to relieve brain swelling, but complications left him in a coma for two months. Though he eventually regained consciousness, he endured a grueling five years of medical treatments, moving between hospitals and nursing homes as his condition worsened.
EEE, which has no vaccine or cure, has seen a resurgence in 2024. There have been 16 reported cases this year across the U.S., marking an uptick that has baffled health officials. The virus, spread by infected mosquitoes, has appeared in 15 counties in New York, compared to only two or three in previous years. Experts urge caution, recommending preventive measures like wearing long sleeves and using mosquito repellent to avoid bites.
Richard Pawulski’s death is a devastating reminder of how severe and unpredictable EEE can be. His family, while mourning his loss, shared his hopeful attitude during his illness. As his daughter Amellia recalled, her father always tried to find the positive, saying, “My day is great. I woke up. I can breathe on my own. I can talk on my own.”
With mosquito season extending into the fall months, officials are warning people to remain vigilant and take steps to protect themselves.
