SINGAPORE — A global outbreak of monkeypox is being largely driven by men who have sex with men, based on a finding from the largest study of the disease.

The study published in the New England Journal of Medicine on July 21 found that of 528 confirmed infections diagnosed between April 27 and June 24 this year, 98 per cent were gay or bisexual men, and 95 per cent had caught the disease through sexual activity.

As more is known of how the disease is spread, infectious disease experts here and overseas have warned against stigmatising monkeypox with the gay community because it will only serve to further its spread, alienating this group of patients and making them not want to get medical help or treatment.

Apart from that, the spread of monkeypox is not just limited to sexual activity among homosexuals.

The disease also spreads through close contact, which means that it is possible for the virus to infect people who have sex with people of the opposite sex and through kissing, for example.

Experts told TODAY that looking out for the symptoms of monkeypox and seeking help is crucial in curbing its spread.

LGBTQ+ rights groups also said they are raising awareness of the disease, while emphasising its spread is not limited to men who have sex with men.