The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

Hitroshima‘s legacy has impact on i local man. D.~~ 1# (() Arts Calendar Viewpoint Sports Business WHAT‘S WATERLOO CHRONICLE INSIDE "*Walkieâ€"Talkie® The new, 800 Victonia 5t N (at Bruce} (519) 579â€"2252 Zetler‘s Plaza 94 Andgeport Rd £ (§19) 725â€"2570 Ask for details Page 10 19 16 Every Monday. water at all beaches managed by the GRCA is tested to ensure the beach water meets provincial regulations. Two weeks ago, high ecoli levels were found in water at the Laurel The Grand River Conservation Authority (GRCA) posted the signs at the Laurel Creek beach, as well as three other beach locations. advising potential users to swim at their own risk. I} was not quiet on the beach A‘fr(mt this weekend. Visitors f all ages enjoyed the Lauâ€" rel Creek beach in Waterloo despite the warning signs that have been posted at the beach since August 29. Swimmers ignoring warnings at Laurel Creek Conservation Area Bradley Robbins zooms down the slide at the playground at RIM Park during a sunny Saturday play day. Carruin Carpenterk Por the Chromicle WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 10, 2005 + WATERLOO, ONTARIO Serving your community since 1856 The high ecoli levels can be blamed on three factors, Dave Schultz of GRCA says: runoff. geese and the weather. Creek Beach. Swimming in water with high levels of bacteria, like that found at Laurel Creek, can result in gasâ€" trointestinal upset and eye irritaâ€" tion. Slip sliding away "It‘s hard to tell when (the beach) will reopen, but we‘re testing it every week." â€" Dave Schultz GRCA spokesperson S Discount â€"**" |Everyone Schultz said, "It‘s hard to tell when (the beach) will reopen, but we‘re testing it every week." As well the warm, dry spell experienced by the city is the perâ€" fect environment for bacteria growth. The dry spell was followed by heavy rains which perpetuate both the runoff and geese problems. Runoff from farms and residenâ€" tial areas, such as animal waste and pesticides can lead to high levels of ecoli. Many geese, whose waste can create an ecoli problem, also freâ€" quent Laurel Creek and the surâ€" rounding area. Because of the bacteria, swimâ€" mers are taking their health into their hands by ignoring the warnâ€" ings. $1 INCLUDING GST CAITuN CARPENTER PHOTO of Kitchenerâ€"Waterloo 663 Victoria St. N. 744â€"5811 www.saturnofkitchener.saturnconada.com Saab "With the virus present in our community, everyone should be taking appropriate measures to proâ€" tect themselves from the threat of West Nile Virus," he says. Health Protection advises citiâ€" Continued on page 4 Monk says, "In my opinion, the really dry June and early July and then heavy rain fall led to a shorter, more intense amplification period." Despite these measures, the number of human cases of West Nile Virus has risen from one to five in the last two weeks. Besides testing birds and mosâ€" quito larvae for the virus, Health Protection conducts an annual pubâ€" lic education campaign. The neurological syndrome affects a minority of infected people who experience a high fever, proâ€" longed muscle weakness, confusion and decreased consciousness. There are three forms of West Nile Virus that can affect humans: asymptomatic infection, nonâ€"neuâ€" rological syndrome and neurologiâ€" cal syndrome. West Nile Virus does not spread from person to person or from birds to humans. Those who contract the asympâ€" tomatic form will experience no symptoms and their body will natuâ€" rally fight off the infection. Most people who get a West Nile infection will have the nonâ€"neuroâ€" logical syndrome accompanied by fluâ€"like symptoms. "We have already initiated larval surveillance and control measures in standing water sites and catch basins throughout Waterloo Region," Curt Monk, manager of Health Protection, said. People can become infected with the virus after being bitten by an infected mosquito. Mosquitoes become infected by biting a bird that carries the virus. The health department conâ€" firmed that a third crow in Waterloo Region, of 25 birds tested, had West Nile Virus aterloo Region‘s Health WProtection unit confirmed this week that West Nile Virus is present in the local bird population. West Nile cases on the rise move your mind"" For the Chronicle