Yokota Air Base is in western Tokyo. (Stars and Stripes)

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YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan — Gate checks to stop the spread of coronavirus at the home of U.S. Forces Japan in western Tokyo uncovered a base worker’s case of whooping cough, officials said Monday.

“An employee of Pizza Hut and the Military Clothing Store has been diagnosed with Pertussis, also known as whooping cough,” the officials said in a post on the official Facebook page for Yokota Air Base. “The employee was identified during the gate screening process.”

Whooping cough is a contagious disease spread by coughing, sneezing or spending a lot of time together in a shared breathing space. Early symptoms include a runny nose, low-grade fever, mild or occasional cough and pauses in breathing, the officials said.

People who patronized Pizza Hut, had a pizza delivered or who visited military clothing services between March 20 and April 2 and who are unvaccinated for whooping cough, pregnant, immunocompromised or a child under 12 should consult their healthcare provider, officials said.

“If a person starts developing the symptoms mentioned above, he/she should seek medical care,” officials said.

robson.seth@stripes.com Twitter: @SethRobson1