Officials: 2 cases of Legionnaires' diseases linked to Schaumburg hotel

The Illinois Department of Public Health announced it has recently linked two confirmed cases of Legionnaires' disease to the AmericInn by Wyndham Hotel in Schaumburg, officials said Friday.

The agency, along with the Cook County Department of Public Health, conducted an environmental investigation of the hotel Thursday, according to a news release from the state agency.

Those diagnosed used water in their rooms, the hot tub and the pool during stays in July and August, the news release said.

So, during the investigation Thursday, the hotel voluntarily closed its hot tub and pool, which will remain closed until the investigation is completed, the state health agency said.

The hotel reports that no employees have been ill and that it is notifying all guests who have stayed at the hotel since June 13, instructing them to contact the Cook County health department if they have been or are ill with respiratory symptoms.

Legionnaires' disease is a serious lung infection that people can get by breathing in small droplets of water containing Legionella bacteria. It is not transmitted person-to-person. Outbreaks are most commonly associated with buildings or structures that have complex water systems, like hotels, hospitals, long-term care facilities and cruise ships.

For more information, visit dph.illinois.gov.