Monkeypox Surpasses 1,000 Cases In NYC, Officials Say

NEW YORK CITY ? Monkeypox cases in New York City have surpassed 1,000 ? a grim milestone that underscores growing fears the once-rare virus could soon become "uncontainable."

The city's monkeypox case tally officially stands at 1,040 as of Monday, according to the health department.

Barely more than a week ago, the city had recorded 600 cases since the outbreak began in May, data shows.

"Cases in NYC are increasing, and there are likely many more cases that have not been diagnosed," the health department's monkeypox page states.

The spread of monkeypox worldwide has been a cause of growing concern for public health officials.

World Health Organization leaders over the weekend declared monkeypox a global public health emergency.

City health Commissioner Ashwin Vasan said the WHO's declaration reflects the "seriousness of the moment."

"In New York City, the outbreak has been a local emergency for weeks and we are putting every resource we have to stopping the spread," he tweeted.

But Vasan and city health officials have been criticized for serious missteps in rolling out vaccinations, which are already in short supply.

The virus, so far, is primarily spreading among men who have sex with men ? and many LBTQIA+ people have vocally called out city, state and federal officials for a perceived discriminatory lack of action.

Health officials have consistently noted that anyone can catch monkeypox, but for the moment it is spreading primarily among gay men.

Vaccine eligibility for the city's next shipment of doses reflects the people currently most at risk:

• Gay, bisexual, or other man who has sex with men, and/or transgender, gender non-conforming, or gender non-binary
• Age 18 or older
• Have had multiple or anonymous sex partners in the last 14 days

Find more information on monkeypox in the city here.