AIDS, dengue fever, influenza, tuberculosis, cholera and malaria have been added to the list of notifiable infectious diseases shared by Hong Kong, Guangdong and Macau.

Wrapping up the first tripartite meeting of medical experts from the three jurisdictions on SARS today, the group said adding the illnesses to the list would help hinder their spread and better safeguard public health.

The two-day meeting saw in-depth discussion on public health administration, clinical treatment and epidemiological investigations, and pathological studies on SARS.

The three parties agreed to extend the present notification mechanism on SARS, and further expand the existing point-to-point information exchange set-up between health units in Hong Kong and Guangdong.

Noting that effective tracing of cases and source of infection is paramount to the surveillance and control of disease, they agreed to strengthen the network of information flow and arrange visits from experts.

On infection control and clinical treatment of SARS, the three authorities saw the need for further enhancing the exchange of information and co-operation, particularly information interflow on infection control in hospitals, data analysis on the epidemic situation and clinical treatment.

They also agreed to further enhance co-operation on scientific research and set up a mutual visit programme for professionals and technical staff.