Vietnam has so far this year reported 1,041 encephalitis cases, including 19 deaths, up from 364 and six in the same period last year respectively local newspaper Labor reported Monday.

The deaths are mainly due to late detection, according to the Health Ministry. It is difficult to early detect encephalitis because its symptoms of sore throat, fever and lack of appetite are also those of respiratory infections.

Vietnam, with a population of more than 83.1 million, detected 1.72 cases of encephalitis infections of all kinds per 100,000 residents in 2005, up from 1.45 and 0.73 in 2004 and 2003, respectively, according to the ministry.

Vietnam has so far this year reported 33 deaths among 32,814 dengue fever sufferers, up from 18 fatalities in the same period last year, said the newspaper.

Source: Xinhua