Health officials on Wednesday said they are drawing up a response plan on monkeypox in case there's an outbreak in Hong Kong.

Doctors will also have to report all suspected or confirmed cases to the Department of Health, officials said.

"In order to address the potential risk posed by monkeypox to Hong Kong, the government will include monkeypox as a statutorily notifiable infectious disease, and formulate a response plan to enhance Hong Kong's surveillance on the disease and capability to tackle it," the government said in a statement.

The statement added the government and the Hospital Authority are preparing to purchase relevant vaccines and medicine, and are formulating recommendations on clinical treatment.

Officials are expected to give more details on the response plan next week.

A number of European and North American countries have reported cases of monkeypox – normally found in Africa – since May.

The symptoms of the disease are similar to those of smallpox, but milder. The virus is transmitted through direct or indirect contact and patients can usually recover on their own.

Hong Kong has so far not recorded any confirmed infections, though authorities urged people to seek medical attention if they experience symptoms such as fever, severe headache, swollen lymph nodes and rash.