In yet another tragic reminder of the dangers that lurk in our own backyards, a Connecticut father has passed away after a five-year battle with a mosquito-borne illness that left him permanently disabled and ultimately claimed his life. Richard Pawulski, 49, succumbed to complications of Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) earlier this week, a rare but deadly virus spread by infected mosquitoes. His death comes at a time when health officials are grappling with a resurgence of the disease, baffling scientists and raising alarms across the country.
Pawulski’s story began in the summer of 2019, when he was bitten by an infected mosquito while working in his wooded backyard in Colchester, Connecticut. What started as a routine day of yard work quickly turned into a nightmare for his family. Just one day after noticing the mosquito bite, Richard began experiencing severe headaches and vomiting. He was rushed to the hospital, where doctors were initially at a loss to explain his rapid deterioration. Only after similar cases began cropping up in the region did they realize that Pawulski had contracted EEE.
The virus, which is one of the most severe mosquito-borne diseases in the United States, primarily attacks the brain, causing rapid physical and mental decline. For the unlucky few who contract it, the consequences can be devastating. In Pawulski’s case, the disease led to brain swelling that required emergency surgery. Although he survived the initial attack, the complications from the surgery and the disease left him in a coma for two months. Doctors told his family he would likely never recover.
Against all odds, Richard did wake up from his coma, but his life was never the same. Over the next five years, he endured countless hospital stays, nursing home visits, and debilitating illnesses, including a bacterial infection in his heart, liver failure, and a traumatic brain injury. His mental state fluctuated; some days he didn’t know what year it was or where he was, while other days he was lucid enough to tell his family he loved them. Despite the overwhelming challenges, his family held on, but the disease had already taken too much from them.
“He always tried to stay positive,” his daughter Amellia, 18, told reporters. “Even when he couldn’t walk or do things on his own, he would still say how grateful he was just to be alive.” That indomitable spirit, however, wasn’t enough to save him from the devastating effects of EEE.
Richard’s tragic death underscores a broader public health crisis. EEE, while rare, is often fatal, with a mortality rate of around 30%, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In 2023, the U.S. saw an alarming rise in cases, with multiple states, including New York and New Hampshire, reporting fatalities. The spread of the disease is particularly concerning in New York, where infected mosquitoes have been found in 15 counties this year, compared to just two or three in previous years.
The cause of this resurgence remains a mystery. Health experts are scrambling to understand why more cases are appearing in regions where the disease has historically been sporadic. “One year we see more cases than another, and it’s not always clear why,” said Dr. Roy Gulick, chief of infectious diseases at Weill Cornell Medicine and NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital. “What we do know is that people need to take this seriously.”
The rise in EEE cases serves as a stark reminder of the dangers that can arise from something as seemingly harmless as a mosquito bite. Yet, much of this risk has been downplayed in recent years as health officials and politicians focus on other public health priorities. In an era where government overreach and mismanagement often dictate the direction of public health policy, it’s troubling that little has been done to address the threat posed by EEE and other similar diseases.
While much attention is given to infectious diseases like COVID-19, which certainly warrant concern, the threat of mosquito-borne illnesses like EEE is just as real, if not more immediate in certain parts of the country. And unlike other public health threats, EEE has no vaccine or specific treatment, leaving prevention as the only defense.
Health experts like Dr. Gulick emphasize the importance of taking simple precautions to protect against mosquito bites, such as wearing long sleeves and pants, using insect repellent, and avoiding outdoor activities at dusk when mosquitoes are most active. Eliminating standing water around the home is another crucial step to reducing mosquito breeding grounds.
Despite these efforts, Pawulski’s family knows all too well how quickly life can change. “Your life can change in the blink of an eye,” said Amellia, echoing the sentiment of many families who have lost loved ones to this silent killer. For Richard’s wife Margaret, the loss is deeply personal. “We don’t have a lot of family here,” she said through tears. “None of this would have happened if he hadn’t gotten bitten by that mosquito.”
As winter approaches, bringing with it the promise of a temporary reprieve from mosquito-borne illnesses, the Pawulski family—and many others affected by EEE—are left to grapple with the loss of a husband, father, and friend. Richard’s passing is a somber reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of staying vigilant, even against the smallest threats.
With the threat of EEE looming again next spring, it’s time for Americans to demand a more serious response from their government and health agencies. Prevention is key, but awareness and action are just as important. If we don’t act now, more families could suffer the same fate as the Pawulskis.
