During a cholera outbreak in a village, the rapid response team plans chemoprophylaxis for close household contacts of confirmed cases. Which regimen is recommended for adult contacts?
- A Azithromycin 1 g once weekly for 3 weeks
- B Ciprofloxacin 500 mg twice daily for 5 days
- C Doxycycline 300 mg as a single oral dose ✓
- D Co-trimoxazole double strength twice daily for 7 days
Correct answer: C. Doxycycline 300 mg as a single oral dose
Explanation
For household contacts of cholera cases, a single oral dose of doxycycline 300 mg is the standard chemoprophylactic regimen, chosen for its simplicity and sustained biliary and faecal levels. Multi-day fluoroquinolone courses are reserved for treatment of actual cases rather than prophylaxis, prolonged azithromycin schedules are not used in this setting, and co-trimoxazole is not the recommended agent because resistance is common.
Reference: Park's Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine, 27th ed.
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