Whooping Cough Outbreak Hits Pasadena School

PASADENA, CA — An unusually high number of whooping cough cases in Pasadena, alongside an outbreak at a school in the city, led public health officials on Tuesday to warn residents of an increased risk of contracting the illness.

The Pasadena Public Health Department is investigating an outbreak of three confirmed cases of whooping cough, also known as pertussis, at Blair Middle School. Authorities have directly offered guidance to those who were in close contact with the infected patients, the department said.

Typically, Pasadena reports about three cases of pertussis annually. But so far this year there's already been 11 confirmed cases in the city, officials said.

“We urge parents to be vigilant for changes in their child’s health. Abnormal coughs and other symptoms consistent with pertussis should be evaluated by their physician. Pertussis is deadly for high-risk groups. In addition to vaccination, proper testing and treatment is a vital measure to protect our families and community members”, city Health Officer Dr. Parveen Kaur said.

Whooping cough spreads through coughing or close contact with an infected person. Symptoms often appear 5 to 21 days after exposure, health officials said.

Early symptoms resemble a cold — sneezing, runny nose, mild cough, and low‑grade fever — but the cough often worsens over one to two weeks. Severe coughing fits may cause gasping ("whooping") vomiting, or difficulty breathing.

Infants may not cough but may gag, turn red or blue, or briefly stop breathing.

Testing and early treatment with antibiotics can treat the infection and prevent the spread of whooping cough. Vaccination significantly decreases the likelihood of infection and severe illness, health officials said.

Officials urged parents to check that children are up to date on their Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis (DTaP) vaccine and that children ages 11 or 12 years have received their Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis (Tdap) booster.

Adults, especially those who are pregnant or take care of young children, should also ensure they have received a Tdap booster, health officials said.

More information about the outbreak is available on the city's website.