Measles cases in the United States have surged to their highest level in over three decades, according to new data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). As of Wednesday, there have been 1,288 confirmed cases reported across 38 states. This alarming figure marks a significant increase from the 285 cases recorded throughout all of last year.

The current outbreak has surpassed the previous high of 1,274 cases in 2019, and it is the most severe since 1992 when cases peaked at 2,126. The rise in measles cases is largely attributed to declining vaccination rates, particularly among children in states like Texas and New Mexico. In these areas, vaccination coverage has fallen below the critical 95% threshold needed for herd immunity.

The CDC noted that the U.S. surpassed 1,000 measles cases in May, indicating a troubling trend. Johns Hopkins University's outbreak response center corroborated this data, confirming that the current measles outbreak is at a six-year high.

Measles was declared eliminated in the U.S. in 2000, thanks to widespread vaccination efforts. The first measles vaccine was introduced in 1963, leading to a significant decline in cases. However, the recent surge highlights the ongoing challenges in maintaining high vaccination rates and preventing outbreaks of this highly contagious disease.