Thursday, April 30, 2026

Whooping Cough Outbreak Reported at Pasadena Elementary School

CITY NEWS SERVICE

The Pasadena Public Health Department is investigating four confirmed cases at Don Benito Fundamental School

The Pasadena Public Health Department announced Wednesday it is investigating an outbreak of whooping cough involving four confirmed cases at Don Benito Fundamental School.

The department is working with the Pasadena Unified School District and others to monitor for any additional infections and to guide response efforts, according to a statement from the Pasadena city manager’s office.

Health officials have notified close contacts and provided instructions for testing, treatment when appropriate, and staying home if symptoms develop, the statement said.

The city manager’s office said whooping cough, or pertussis activity, has been elevated in the community, and health officials are urging residents to ensure they are up to date on their vaccinations.

Health department officials recommend that anyone who develops a persistent cough or other respiratory symptoms contact a health care provider and that people remain home when ill to reduce transmission. Parents were advised to keep symptomatic children out of school and seek medical evaluation if needed.

Whooping cough spreads through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs or has close contact with others, according to the city manager’s office. Symptoms typically appear five to 21 days after exposure. Early symptoms often resemble a mild cold, including a runny nose, sneezing, low-grade fever, and a mild cough.

The illness can progress to severe coughing fits that may lead to vomiting, difficulty breathing, or a characteristic “whooping” sound. Infants may not develop a typical cough and instead may show signs such as gagging, changes in skin color, or brief pauses in breathing, according to the city manager’s office.

Health officials said individuals who have been exposed should monitor for symptoms for up to 21 days and contact a health care provider if illness develops. Those diagnosed are generally advised to remain home until they have completed at least five days of appropriate antibiotic treatment.

In some cases, preventive antibiotics may be recommended for high-risk individuals, including infants, pregnant people, and caregivers of young children.

The health department stressed vaccination as the most effective protection against whooping cough and its complications. Health officials recommend that children are up to date on the DTaP series — diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis — and that adolescents receive the Tdap booster, with adults also maintaining current vaccination status, particularly those in close contact with infants and pregnant women.

Clinicians are being asked to follow established guidelines for testing and treatment of suspected cases, and school exclusion policies apply to students who meet the criteria for confirmed or suspected infection, according to the city manager’s office.

The Pasadena Public Health Department offers the Tdap vaccine on Mondays and Wednesdays from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m., by appointment or on a walk-in basis.