1 killed, 1 sick after the outbreak of legionaries at the former Best Western

One person died and another became ill after a legionella outbreak at a Western Avenue assisted-care facility that had been the scene of previous hotel outbreaks, officials said Thursday morning.

The Albany County Health Department confirmed Thursday that two people had fallen ill on the Promenade at the University Place, a former Best Western Sovereign hotel, located at 1228 Western Ave.

Officials who requested anonymity said that one of the residents had died Wednesday after falling ill with the disease.

The cases occur seven years after hotel guests became ill after Legionnaires' stays at the hotel, located across from the university, at the entrance to the campus's top-of-the-line range of Albany. The hotel has recently been converted into a senior's home and opened in late December last year.

The county learned about the existence of the epidemic about a week ago and launched an investigation jointly with the state's Department of Health – which oversees the facility's installation. assistance of 200 beds – to determine if both cases have a common source, said Dr. Elizabeth Whalen, county health commissioner. I said.

"The tests were done the same day we learned of the existence of the second case," Whalen said. "The establishment has been responsible. They have been proactive in installing new shower filters and providing bottled water for drinking as well as assistance with all bathing methods to ensure they do not endanger new residents. "

The assisted living center informed staff, residents and family residents of confirmed cases on Wednesday, Whalen said.

The center currently has 23 residents, said CFO Paul Belitsis.

"We have taken immediate steps to remedy the situation and ensure we remain at the forefront of the safety of our residents," said Belitsis. "We communicate openly with them."

Although the tests did not come back to determine if the Legionella bacteria is present in the facility, Belitsis said that they were working with the state to remedy the situation.

Ten cases of legionellosis were associated with the hotel between September 2011 and June 2012. This disease is a form of pneumonia caused by a bacterium. People are usually exposed to it by breathing in the fog of a shower, spa or air conditioning system contaminated with Legionella bacteria.

The hotel closed for nearly two months in early 2012 while water boilers and pipes were replaced. The water system was rinsed and reopened after water samples showed that the bacteria was no longer present. Yet four other guests of the hotel developed Legionnaires' disease after it reopened.

At least two guests sued the hotel, located in Albany, as a result of unspecified damages from hotel owners after falling ill. The state of these cases is not clear.

Belitsis said the site had undergone a complete renovation, including the installation of new hot water radiators, pipes and lighting fixtures.

"We are always concerned about the safety and well-being of our residents," he said. "Given the steps and steps of the renovations – the scale we have taken – and the consultations with people, we felt that there was no reason for this problem to re-emerge. "