The Pasadena Public Health Department Thursday, May 1, announced that there had been one confirmed case of whooping cough in a Pasadena resident.

According to a statement, the case was confirmed on April 29. The resident went to the Kidspace Children’s Museum, 480 N. Arroyo Blvd., on Friday, April 25, from 1:30 to 5 p.m.

Whooping cough spreads through coughing or close contact with an infected person. According to the city, those at the museum during the above timeframe should:

-Monitor for symptoms, especially in children, for up to 21 days;

-Be alert to increasing coughing severity or breathing issues;

-Contact your healthcare provider if anyone develops a persistent cough or cold symptoms;

-Keep sick individuals home until cleared by a doctor or after five days of appropriate antibiotic treatment;

-Avoid contact between sick individuals and babies or pregnant women;  and

-Infants, pregnant women, or caregivers of infants may need preventive antibiotics even if they are not showing symptoms.

Symptoms usually appear five to 21 days after exposure with early signs resembling a cold and usually a low-grade fever. The cough become more and more severe over one to two weeks. Severe coughing fits may cause gasping, vomiting or trouble breathing. Infants may not cough but turn red or blue, gag, or stop breathing.

Public health said vaccination is the best defense against whooping cough. The department offers the DTap/TdaP vaccine Monday and Wednesday from 8:30-11:30 a.m. and 1:30-4:30 p.m. by appointment and walk-ins.