A whooping cough outbreak at Don Benito Fundamental School has Pasadena families on alert, after public health officials confirmed four cases on the K–5 campus near Eaton Canyon.
Pasadena public health staff have launched contact tracing and monitoring, while the school has sent notices home to families. The flare-up has brought a fresh round of reminders from officials about vaccinations and the importance of keeping sick kids home.
Four Cases Confirmed as Health Officials Urge Caution
According to CBS Los Angeles, the Pasadena Public Health Department (PPHD) has confirmed four pertussis cases linked to Don Benito and is working with the Pasadena Unified School District to identify any additional infections.
In a statement to CBS Los Angeles, PPHD urged residents to “ensure they are up to date on pertussis vaccines” and advised families to keep symptomatic children home while they contact a doctor for testing or treatment.
Symptoms, Monitoring and Antibiotics
Pertussis often starts out looking like a mild cold, with runny nose and sneezing, but can escalate into intense coughing fits that make it hard to breathe, health authorities warn. Infants are especially vulnerable and may gag, turn blue or briefly stop breathing during severe episodes.
The CDC notes that the incubation period can stretch up to 21 days and recommends monitoring close contacts for that full window. Local guidance typically keeps symptomatic students out of school until they have completed five days of appropriate antibiotics or have been cleared by a healthcare provider, according to Los Angeles County Public Health.
Vaccines and the Local Trend
California has seen a notable climb in whooping cough cases over the past year, and state health leaders have been pushing Tdap boosters, especially for pregnant people and caregivers of infants, to reduce the risk of severe illness in newborns.
California Department of Public Health reported more than 2,000 pertussis cases statewide between January and October 2024 and recommends maternal Tdap vaccination during the third trimester of pregnancy.
What Parents Should Do Now
If your child develops a persistent cough, health officials say it is time to call the pediatrician for testing and, if needed, treatment. Clinicians can prescribe antibiotics and may recommend post‑exposure prophylaxis for high‑risk contacts, according to the CDC.
For families looking to catch up on shots, Pasadena Public Health’s immunization clinic provides DTaP and Tdap vaccinations by appointment and on a walk‑in basis for qualifying residents, according to the Pasadena Public Health Department. Parents with campus-specific questions can find contact information directly through Don Benito Fundamental School.
