Mass chemoprophylaxis is not given for one of the following:

Ans. d. Scabies (Ref: Park 23/e p125, 21/e p248, 271, 592, 722; www.wellsphere.com/general mediceine article/mass- drug-prophylaxis-against filariasis/877981)Mass chemoprophylaxis is not given for Scabies.To control scabies, only the members of the affected family are treated simultaneously whether or not they appear to be infested. Thus it is given to close contacts only, so it is not a mass prophylaxis.ChemoprophylaxisChemoprophylaxis refers to the administration of a medication for the purpose of preventing disease or infection.It can be causal or clinical prophylaxis.Causal ProphylaxisClinical Prophylaxis* Complete prevention of infection by early elimina-* It is prevention of clinical symptom.tion of the invading or migrating causal agent.* it does not necessarily eliminate infection.Mass prophylaxis is given on a large scale to a large part of community.Lymphatic filariasis* DEC (6 mg/kg) is given to almost everyone in the communityQ, irrespective of whether they have microfilaremia, disease manifestation or no signs of infection except:* Children < 2 years of ageQ* Pregnant womenQ* Seriously ill patients* It is given in the endemic areasQ* It is a type of clinical prophylaxis.Plague* Tetracycline chemoprophylaxis is given to all contacts, medical, nursing and health personnel exposed to the risk of infectionQ.* During an outbreak, it is given to a large section of community, making it a mass prophylaxisQ.Vitamin A deficiency* To prevent xerophthalmia, Vitamin A prophylaxis is given on a mass scale as a short term preventive measureQ.