Pasadena, California — Health officials are investigating a growing outbreak of whooping cough, also known as pertussis, after multiple cases were confirmed at a middle school in Pasadena, raising concerns among parents and the wider community.
The Pasadena Public Health Department (PPHD) announced Tuesday that three cases had been confirmed at Blair Middle School, prompting immediate monitoring efforts alongside the Pasadena Unified School District.
Health Officials Investigating School Outbreak
According to officials, the confirmed cases have triggered an active response to prevent additional spread of the highly contagious respiratory illness.
PPHD stated that it is working closely with school officials and community members to identify and monitor anyone who may have had close contact with infected individuals.
Health authorities confirmed that all identified close contacts have already received instructions regarding testing, treatment, and guidance on staying home if symptoms appear.
The outbreak comes at a time when pertussis activity is already increasing across the Pasadena area, causing additional concern among healthcare professionals.
Pertussis Cases Rising Across Pasadena
Officials noted that Pasadena typically records only about three whooping cough cases per year, making the recent increase particularly alarming.
However, since the beginning of 2026, the city has already identified 11 confirmed cases, signaling a sharp rise in infections within the community.
The sudden increase has prompted renewed warnings from public health experts, who are urging residents to ensure their vaccinations are current and to seek medical advice if symptoms develop.
Whooping cough spreads easily through coughing and close contact with infected individuals, making schools and crowded settings especially vulnerable to outbreaks.
Symptoms Can Start Like a Common Cold
Health officials warned that early symptoms of pertussis often resemble a regular cold, which can make the illness difficult to recognize in its initial stages.
Common early symptoms include:
- Sneezing
- Runny nose
- Mild cough
- Low-grade fever
However, officials say the cough typically worsens after one to two weeks and can become severe.
Serious coughing fits may cause gasping, vomiting, breathing difficulties, and the well-known “whooping” sound associated with the illness.
Officials also warned that infants may not develop a cough at all but could instead gag, turn red or blue, or temporarily stop breathing, making the disease especially dangerous for young children.
Health Department Urges Vaccinations and Monitoring
The Pasadena Public Health Department is encouraging all residents to make sure they are up to date on their pertussis vaccinations, especially families with young children or vulnerable household members.
Officials advised anyone exposed to pertussis to carefully monitor symptoms for 21 days, particularly in children.
They also urged residents to contact healthcare providers if coughing worsens or breathing problems develop.
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Health officials emphasized that sick individuals should remain home until medically cleared or until they complete at least five days of appropriate antibiotic treatment.
Authorities noted that a five-day course of azithromycin remains the recommended first-line treatment option.
High-Risk Groups Face Greater Danger
Public health experts warned that certain groups face significantly higher risks from pertussis infections.
These groups include:
- Infants under 1 year old
- Pregnant individuals
- Caregivers of infants
Officials said some high-risk contacts may even require preventive antibiotics despite showing no symptoms.
To help protect the community, PPHD continues offering the Tdap vaccine on Mondays and Wednesdays through both appointments and walk-ins.
The outbreak serves as another reminder of how quickly contagious illnesses can spread in schools and communities when symptoms go unnoticed or vaccinations fall behind.
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