Pasadena confirms whooping cough outbreak at Don Benito Fundamental School

Pasadena public health officials confirmed a whooping cough outbreak at Don Benito Fundamental School on Wednesday, urging parents to check their children's vaccination status and watch for symptoms of the highly contagious respiratory illness. Multiple cases have been identified among students in recent days.

Whooping cough, or pertussis, can cause severe coughing fits lasting weeks or months and poses particular danger to infants and unvaccinated individuals. The disease was largely controlled through widespread vaccination but has resurged in recent years as immunization rates declined in some communities.

School officials sent letters to all families advising them to monitor for symptoms including persistent coughing, runny nose, and low-grade fever. Students showing symptoms are being asked to stay home and seek medical evaluation. The school is coordinating with county health officials on contact tracing and potential exclusion policies for unvaccinated students.

The outbreak underscores the ongoing vulnerability of school-age children to vaccine-preventable diseases, particularly in areas where vaccination opt-out rates have risen. Health officials emphasized that the Tdap vaccine remains the most effective defense.

What This Means For You: If you have school-age children, check their vaccination records today — the Tdap booster isn't a one-and-done. If your kid has a persistent cough that won't quit, don't send them to school. Whooping cough is miserable for healthy kids but can be life-threatening for babies. This outbreak is a reminder that herd immunity only works when enough people participate.