Pasadena Public Health Department Confirms Four Whooping Cough Cases at Don Benito Fundamental School

PASADENA, Calif.- The Pasadena Public Health Department (PPHD) is investigating an outbreak of four confirmed cases of whooping cough (pertussis) at Don Benito Fundamental School.

PPHD is working closely with the Pasadena Unified School District and community partners to monitor for additional cases. Guidance has been provided to all identified close contacts, including instructions for testing, treatment, and home isolation if symptoms appear.

Given elevated pertussis activity in the community, PPHD urges residents to ensure they are up to date on pertussis vaccines, consult their health care provider if they develop a persistent cough or respiratory illness, and stay home when sick to help prevent further spread. Parents and caregivers should keep symptomatic children at home and contact their primary care provider for testing and treatment.

Whooping cough spreads through coughing or close contact with an infected person. Symptoms usually appear 5 to 21 days after exposure. Early symptoms resemble a cold (e.g. sneezing, runny nose, mild cough, and low-grade fever) but the cough typically worsens over 1 to 2 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. A nasal swab is used to confirm infection.

If you or your family have been exposed to pertussis:

• Monitor for symptoms for 21 days, especially in children.
• Watch for worsening cough or breathing difficulties.
• Contact your healthcare provider if symptoms develop.
• Keep sick individuals home until cleared by a provider or after 5 days of appropriate antibiotics.
• Prevent contact between sick individuals and infants or pregnant people.
• High-risk contacts, including infants under 1-year, pregnant people, and caregivers of infants, may need preventive antibiotics even without symptoms.

Testing and early treatment with antibiotics can treat the infection and prevent the spread of whooping cough. Vaccination significantly decreases the likelihood of infection, severe illness and further complications and is the best defense. Check that children are up to date on their Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis (DTaP) vaccine and children ages 11 or 12 years have received their Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis (Tdap) booster. Adults, especially pregnant people and caregivers of young children, should also ensure that they have received a Tdap booster.

Clinicians who suspect pertussis should follow the proper treatment guidelines AND conduct the proper confirmatory testing. Children who are suspected with pertussis should not be allowed to return to school until they have met recommended clearance criteria. For more information on testing and treatment, visit the California Department of Public Health's Pertussis website and refer to the "Clinical Guidance" section.

PPHD currently offers the Tdap vaccine Monday and Wednesday from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. by appointment and walk-ins. Most private health insurance plans cover the DTaP/Tdap vaccines. For more information, view the list of vaccines.

Check with your insurance provider for cost information and for a list of in-network vaccine providers. The Vaccines for Children (VFC) program provides vaccines to children whose parents or guardians may not be able to afford them.

Stay connected to the City of Pasadena! Visit us online at CityOfPasadena.net; follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook; or call the City Service Center Monday through Friday during business hours at (626) 744-7311.

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