Whooping Cough Hits Second Pasadena School as City’s Cases Quadruple

Whooping cough has reached a second Pasadena school in a matter of weeks, with three confirmed cases at Blair Middle School prompting health officials to warn that the disease is spreading faster than usual across the city.

The outbreak at Blair is the latest sign that Pasadena is experiencing an unusual pertussis surge. Since the start of 2026, the city has confirmed 11 cases of the highly contagious respiratory illness — nearly four times its typical annual count of about three, according to the Pasadena Public Health Department. The local spike is notable because national pertussis cases have declined in 2026 after peaking in November 2024, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The cases follow a separate outbreak at Don Benito Fundamental School, where health officials confirmed four cases on April 29. The health department issued a health advisory to clinicians on May 11, citing a “significant increase” in pertussis activity in the community, according to a notice posted on the city’s website. Pertussis is a cyclical disease that tends to peak every three to five years, according to the CDC.

Health department staff are working with the Pasadena Unified School District and community partners to monitor for additional cases at Blair, a grades 6–12 school at 1201 S. Marengo Ave., according to a PPHD press release. Pasadena operates its own public health department, independent of Los Angeles County. Close contacts of the infected individuals have been notified and given guidance on testing, treatment, and when to stay home.

“We urge parents to be vigilant for changes in their child’s health,” said Dr. Parveen Kaur, the city’s Health Officer. “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.”

Whooping cough spreads through coughing or close contact with an infected person, according to the health department. Symptoms usually appear five to 21 days after exposure. Early signs resemble a cold — sneezing, a runny nose, a mild cough — but the cough typically worsens over one to two weeks. Severe coughing fits can cause gasping, vomiting, or difficulty breathing. Infants may not cough at all but may gag, change color, or briefly stop breathing.

A nasal swab sent for a PCR test is used to confirm infection, according to PPHD. A five-day course of azithromycin is the recommended first-line treatment. Children suspected of having pertussis should not return to school until they have met clearance criteria set by health officials. Sick individuals of any age should stay home until cleared by a provider or after five days of appropriate antibiotics, according to the press release.

Infants younger than 1, pregnant people, and caregivers of infants are considered high-risk and may need preventive antibiotics even without symptoms, the health department said. Exposed individuals should monitor for symptoms for 21 days.

Vaccination significantly decreases the likelihood of infection, severe illness, and further complications and remains the best defense, according to PPHD. Health officials are urging parents to ensure children are current on their DTaP vaccine and that children ages 11 and 12 have received a Tdap booster. Adults, especially pregnant people and caregivers of young children, should also confirm they have had a Tdap booster, according to the press release.

PPHD offers the Tdap vaccine on Mondays and Wednesdays from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. by appointment and walk-in. Most private insurance plans cover the vaccine. The Vaccines for Children program provides vaccines to families who cannot afford them. Additional information is available from the California Department of Public Health’s pertussis website. Residents can also call the City Service Center at (626) 744-7311 Monday through Friday during business hours.

Kaur, an infectious disease specialist with more than 25 years of experience, was appointed Pasadena’s Health Officer in February.

“Abnormal coughs and other symptoms consistent with pertussis should be evaluated by their physician,” Kaur said.