2025 ICD-10-CM code A28

This code encompasses zoonotic bacterial diseases not classified elsewhere.

Use A28 only when a more specific code for the zoonotic bacterial disease is not available. Attempt to identify the specific pathogen and use the corresponding code whenever possible. Additional codes may be necessary to fully describe the patient's condition (e.g., codes for complications, manifestations, or underlying conditions).

Medical necessity is established by the presence of signs and symptoms consistent with a zoonotic bacterial infection, coupled with a history of animal exposure or other risk factors. Laboratory confirmation of the infection strengthens the case for medical necessity.

Clinicians should perform a thorough evaluation including patient history (exposure to animals, recent travel, symptoms), physical examination, and laboratory testing (blood cultures, serology) to identify the specific pathogen and guide treatment. Treatment typically involves antibiotics (e.g., doxycycline, penicillin). Supportive care may also be necessary. Patient education on preventive measures such as avoiding contact with potentially infected animals or their waste, proper hand hygiene, and safe food handling practices is crucial.

IMPORTANT More specific codes exist for conditions such as Pasteurellosis (A28.0) and Cat-scratch disease (A28.1).Use these more specific codes when available.

In simple words: This code is used when a person has a bacterial infection they caught from an animal, and this specific infection isn't listed anywhere else in the coding system.These infections can come from different animals and are spread through contact with the animal, its waste, bites, scratches, or contaminated food and water.

This code represents other specified and unspecified zoonotic bacterial diseases not classified elsewhere. Zoonotic diseases are infections that can spread between animals and humans.These infections can be transmitted through various routes, including contact with infected animals or their excretions, bites or scratches from infected animals, or ingestion of contaminated food or water. The diseases covered by this code have not been specified in other categories within the ICD-10-CM.

Example 1: A patient presents with fever, chills, and swollen lymph nodes after being bitten by a wild rodent. After investigation, the infection is determined to be caused by a bacterium commonly found in rodents, but it's not a specific disease like tularemia or plague. Code A28 would be applied., A farmer develops a skin infection after handling livestock.Laboratory tests reveal an unusual bacterial strain not typically associated with a specific zoonotic disease. Code A28 is used because a more specific code is not available., A veterinarian develops flu-like symptoms, and testing points to bacterial infection from an unknown source. Upon review of his case he recalls being coughed on by a monkey. Code A28 is the best fit.

Documentation should clearly describe the patient's symptoms, history of animal exposure (type of animal, nature of contact), laboratory findings, and clinical diagnosis.If a specific zoonotic disease is suspected, efforts should be made to confirm the diagnosis.

** For infections related to bites from other mammals, consider reviewing other applicable ICD codes, including W53-W64 for other contact with nonvenomous animals, W54 for bitting by other mammals and T63.3 for toxic effect of contact with other venomous snakes and lizards.

  • Payment Status: Active
  • Specialties:Infectious disease, internal medicine, family medicine, emergency medicine, and potentially others depending on the specific context
  • Place of Service:Inpatient Hospital, On Campus-Outpatient Hospital, Off Campus-Outpatient Hospital, Office, Independent Clinic, Federally Qualified Health Center, Emergency Room - Hospital, Rural Health Clinic, or other places of service depending on where the patient is seen
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