Whooping Cough Outbreak Hits LA County
Patch • • health
Key Points:
- Pasadena is experiencing an unusually high number of whooping cough (pertussis) cases this year, with 11 confirmed cases compared to the typical annual average of three.
- An outbreak of three confirmed cases has been identified at Blair Middle School, prompting the Pasadena Public Health Department to offer guidance to those in close contact with infected individuals.
- Health officials emphasize the importance of vaccination, early testing, and treatment to prevent the spread of pertussis, especially among high-risk groups such as infants and pregnant women.
- Symptoms of whooping cough start like a cold but can progress to severe coughing fits, which may cause serious breathing difficulties; infants may exhibit different symptoms such as gagging or brief breathing pauses.
- Parents are urged to ensure their children are up to date on DTaP and Tdap vaccines, and adults, particularly those caring for young children or who are pregnant, should receive Tdap boosters to protect against the disease.