Notifiable communicable diseases are, so I was told, based on local possibility of containment if immediate measures are taken. Multi drug resistant tuberculosis being the one reported most often.

HIV isn't to be taken lightly and the cost to the public purse of antiretrovirals and chronic clinics have to be factored, but within those confines, once presented, they are manageable and once diagnosed, there are criminal legal measures to dissuade risk of propagation. Not perfect, but overall, the UK approach has factored in a universal healthcare structure with joined up surveillance through the public health observatory. Other countries, many of whom rely on statistical returns by commercial companies have different approaches on knowing of and dealing with conditions.

The centrally driven management of diseases is something we take for granted, but most professionals in public health epidemiology agree that different healthcare systems require appropriate approaches. A better answer should be available in Dept of Health information on the setting up of Public Health England, which replaces many health protection agency and strategic health authority functions in public health. I am typing from memory, which usually allows a certain evangelical member to point out I forgot to capitalise a name of an organisation which makes me a liar, whatever.