Mission Viejo : Water Tests Negative; 1 of 5 Beaches Reopens

One of five swimming beaches at Lake Mission Viejo, closed by Orange County Health Department authorities last Friday after at least 13 children became violently ill, was reopened Wednesday after all tests for harmful elements showed negative results.

Steven K. Wong, department deputy director in charge of environmental health, said no definite cause has been found for the cramps, diarrhea and vomiting the children reportedly experienced last week. He said it is possible that some pollutants showed up in waters off the main swimming beach either from sources on shore or from bird droppings.

Several residents around the lake said that their children suffered flu-like symptoms lasting about 12 hours after swimming in the lake and that adults who were in the water at the same time were not affected.