Mass chemoprophylaxis in lymphatic filariasis

DEC (diethyl carbamazine citrate) is used for mass chemoprophylaxis if filariasis. It is given to all people irrespective of presence of disease / microfilaremia. It is not given to children below 2 years of age, pregnant women and seriously ill patients. It is a form of clinical prophylaxis as it prevents progression of asymptomatic disease to clinically manifest disease.