Monkeypox cases appear to be declining in some large US cities

Monkeypox cases in some large US cities appear to be declining, matching trends seen in Europe, and experts are cautiously optimistic the outbreak may have peaked in places hit hardest by the virus.

The optimism comes just as US officials on Friday said there’s enough of a supply of monkeypox vaccine available now – though the shots aren’t getting to some of the people who need the protection the most.

The World Health Organization said Thursday that monkeypox cases reported globally declined 21% last week, after a month-long trend of rising infections. US cases continued to rise, but some American experts believe cases are starting to decline based largely on immunity from prior infection and behavior changes as awareness of the disease has grown.

That does not mean the disease will be contained, the experts cautioned.

Since late May, the United States has recorded nearly 17,000 monkeypox cases. The outbreak, which so far has reached 80 countries outside Africa, where the virus is endemic, is largely being transmitted among gay and bisexual men.