A Pasadena resident has tested positive for whooping cough after visiting the Kidspace Children’s Museum last week. The Pasadena Public Health Department announced this concerning news on Thursday. Whooping cough, a highly contagious respiratory illness, is particularly dangerous for infants and can lead to severe complications.
Health officials reported that the infection comes amid a rise in whooping cough cases across the United States. So far this year, there have been over 8,470 reported cases nationwide, which is roughly double the number from the same period last year. This spike is alarming and highlights a growing public health concern.
The exposure at Kidspace occurred on April 25, from 1:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. Authorities are urging anyone who visited during that time to be vigilant for symptoms. These symptoms can include a runny nose, low-grade fever, and difficulty breathing. Parents are especially encouraged to monitor their children for any signs of illness.
If someone feels unwell after visiting the museum, they are advised to see their healthcare provider and avoid contact with infants and pregnant women. For high-risk individuals, such as infants under one year old and pregnant women, preventive antibiotics may be necessary even if they do not show symptoms.
Whooping cough is caused by the bacteria Bordetella pertussis, which affects the upper respiratory system. Symptoms usually develop within five days to three weeks after exposure. Initially, the illness may resemble a mild cold, but it can progress to severe coughing spells that may cause gasping or vomiting.
In California, the number of whooping cough cases has surged, with a significant increase from 644 cases in 2023 to 2,753 in 2024. Tragically, there have been fatalities linked to the illness, including the recent deaths of two infants in Louisiana and a five-year-old in Washington.
Vaccination is the best defense against whooping cough. The DTaP vaccine is recommended for infants starting at two months old and is given in several doses throughout early childhood. However, experts have noted that vaccination rates are declining, contributing to the rise in infections. The CDC reports that exemptions to school-entry vaccinations have reached an all-time high, raising concerns about herd immunity.
As health officials continue to monitor the situation, they stress the importance of vaccinations and awareness to prevent further outbreaks.