[Epidemiological evolution of human hydatidosis in Chile, 1965-1988. Impact of livestock programs in the XI and XII regions].

The aim of this work was to analyze the possible impact of livestock echinococcosis control programs in the XI and XII regions of Chile, on the incidence of human echinococcosis. National morbidity was stable until 1984, with an abrupt and important decrease afterwards. Mortality showed a slight tendency to decrease during this period. There was an increase in lethality, that was equivalent and contemporary to the communicated decrease in morbidity after 1985. It is concluded that the national and regional decrease in the communicated cases of echinococcosis is due to a decrease in the notification of the disease. This problem was originated in administrative decisions of the Ministry of Health in 1985, whose effects persist. An instrument to correct retrospectively this low notification is proposed.