ALBANY (AP) -- New York state health officials say six cases of Legionnaire's disease contracted last year have been linked to an upstate hotel.
A Department of Health spokesman tells local media outlets that tests confirmed earlier this week that higher than normal levels of legionnella bacteria were present in the water system at the Best Western Sovereign Hotel in Albany.
Officials say the guests who became ill stayed at the hotel between September and December.
The Times Union of Albany reports that Phoenix-based Best Western International said in a statement that the company is working with health officials and has taken steps to eliminate the bacteria.
The company says current guests aren't at risk.
Legionnaires can cause deadly pneumonia. The germ spreads through mist or vapor from contaminated water or air conditioning systems.
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