[Equine influenza in Chile (1963-1992): a possible human case].

In Chile equine influenza has been strongly related to continental epizootics. First outbreak was described in 1963; main outbreaks were reported in 1977, 1985 and 1992. Equine influenza virus was isolated in three opportunities: H7N7 (A/equi/1/Santiago, Chile/1977); H3N8 (A/equi/2/Santiago, Chile/1985) and H3N8 (A/equi/2/Quillota, Chile/1992). The most serious outbreak was caused by strain H7N7 in 1977. Since 1992 equine influenza has not been reported in our country. In 1973 was described a case of influenza and seroconversion in a human being related with horses suffering a respiratory distress diagnosed as equine influenza; unfortunately the isolated virus was not typed.