Asexually transmitted disease expert at the World Health Organization (WHO) has stressed that monkeypox "is not a gay disease" after cases were identified in gay, bisexual or other men who have sex with men (MSM).

The recent outbreak ofmonkeypoxacross the world continues to be investigated by scientists. It is unusual in that cases are being identified with no apparent links to endemic areas where the virus tends to be reported.

The WHO said that as of Saturday there were 92 confirmed cases and 28 suspected cases under investigation across 12 countries where the virus is not endemic.

The WHO also noted that cases so far have mainly, though not exclusively, been identified among MSM.

The reason for thisis unclearbut it has led to concern that these communities could face stigma or discrimination as a result.

In a Q&A session on Monday, Andy Seale, an advisor with the HIV, hepatitis and sexually transmitted infections program at the WHO, said: "While, for example, we're seeing some cases amongst men who have sex with men, this is not a gay disease as some people on social media have attempted to label it. That's just not the case. Anybody can contract monkeypox through close contact."

"One of the things we've recognized with this outbreak is it's not typical. We're seeing cases among men who identify as gay, bisexual, or from other groups of MSM in several countries, often linked to travel or recent travel, and it seems clear that this is linked to close contact. So this could be through social contact, possibly through sexual contact which of course is close contact. We're still in the early days of this outbreak so there's a lot we're still learning."