Kristy Chapman , CA

Student diagnosed with West Nile Virus
By: Adrienne Moore

A Cal Poly student could be the first human case of the West Nile Virus in San Luis Obispo County this year.

24-year old Kristy Chapman believes she was infected with the potentially serious illness while running on the track at Cal Poly in early October. She says her body was covered in mosquito bites and she developed flu-like symptoms.

"Around seven, that's when they're out here the most, so they're out here like crazy," says Chapman.

After being misdiagnosed at the Campus Health Center and Sierra Vista Hospital, Chapman consulted her hometown doctor in Sacramento.

"They thought it was strep throat, but when I talked to the doctors in Sacramento, they said the symptoms of strep throat and the symptoms of West Nile are pretty similar-- swollen lymphnodes," says Chapman.

The health department says they're unsure why thy appropriate information was not shared by the doctor, but are hoping to resolve the matter as soon as possible. Chapman's case would be the first human one on record with the county this year. For now, she says she will continue to wear bug spray every day, and now opts for a treadmill instead of the track for her treadmill.

"We've been going to the gym because I won't go outside, now I'm deathly afraid of mosquitos, I hate them," says Chapman. "So I don't like being outside."

Kristy Chapman says she feels fine today, and is looking forward to graduating next year. In 2004, one human case of the West Nile Virus was reported in San Luis Obispo County.