Richard Pawuski, a 49-year-old former personal trainer, was bitten by a mosquito in the woods area behind his home in August 2019.

He had no idea he had been bitten at first, but after a few days, he began to develop serious symptoms.

Pawuski saw a red mass and began experiencing severe headaches and vomited yellow bile.
After scheduling a doctor's visit, Pawuski and his family learnt how bad the situation was.

 

What is this rare disease called?

 

Mr Pawuski was diagnosed with 'Triple E' (Eastern equine encephalitis), which is an incurable infection. 

The condition is rare but devastating since it targets the brain, causing rapid physical decline and lasting disability if it does not kill you first.

An estimated 33% of individuals who become seriously ill from the illness die from the infection.

The virus targets the central nervous system, resulting in brain enlargement and symptoms such as disorientation and seizures.

Pawuski's sickness would cause him to spend years in and out of hospitals and nursing homes.

The New York Post reports that he died on Monday, October 14, seven days after being admitted to a hospice.

Pawuski's immune system was already compromised by his diabetes and cancer diagnosis. However, the sickness damaged his immune system further, making him more susceptible to additional infections.

His death was caused by an antibiotic-resistant bacterial illness that proved too tough to cure, as well as a traumatic brain injury, a failing liver, and a heart infection.

In early 2020, Pawuski explained how difficult dealing with the sickness was, describing his infection as 'going through hell' and saying he 'wouldn't want this on anyone.
Following his death, his 18-year-old daughter Amelia warned of the severity of the sickness.

She added, "I'm not joking when I say your life can change in the blink of an eye, because that was what happened to us."

While the disease is rare, it is on the rise in the United States, which scientists believe is due to rising temperatures speeding up mosquito life cycles and allowing them to travel to new locations.