2025 ICD-10-CM code A28.9
Zoonotic bacterial disease, unspecified.
Medical necessity is established by the presence of signs and symptoms consistent with a zoonotic bacterial disease, along with a history suggesting potential exposure to contaminated sources.Further testing, such as blood cultures or antibody tests, might be necessary to confirm the diagnosis and guide treatment decisions.
A patient with zoonotic bacterial diseases can experience fever, chills, headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle pain, dry cough, and abdominal pain. Laboratory tests of the patient’s blood can detect antibodies to the bacterium. Treatment includes antibiotics such as doxycycline or penicillin; intravenous antibiotics may be given in severe cases. Providers may educate the patient on disease prevention by avoiding areas with stagnant water, not swimming in water contaminated by animal urine, and wearing proper clothing when in contact with potentially infected soil or water.
In simple words: This code represents a bacterial infection passed from animals to humans, often through contaminated water or soil. The specific type of infection is not identified.
Certain bacteria, typically ingested with water contaminated by animal urine or spread through contact with infected soil, cause zoonotic diseases, which are animal diseases that can be spread to humans under certain natural conditions. The provider does not specify the type of zoonotic bacterial disease.
Example 1: A patient presents with fever, chills, and muscle aches after swimming in a lake known to have a high concentration of animal urine. Blood tests reveal antibodies to a zoonotic bacteria, and the patient is diagnosed with a zoonotic bacterial disease, unspecified (A28.9)., A farmer develops a persistent cough and diarrhea after working in fields irrigated with contaminated water. After ruling out other potential causes, the physician diagnoses the farmer with a zoonotic bacterial disease, unspecified (A28.9), likely contracted through contact with the infected soil., A child experiences vomiting and abdominal pain after drinking water from a potentially contaminated well. Given the symptoms and potential exposure, the doctor diagnoses the child with a zoonotic bacterial disease, unspecified (A28.9), pending further testing.
Symptoms, history of exposure to potentially contaminated water or soil, lab results (if available).
- Specialties:Infectious Disease, Internal Medicine, Family Medicine, Pediatrics
- Place of Service:Office, Inpatient Hospital, Outpatient Hospital, Emergency Room - Hospital, Urgent Care Facility, Telehealth Provided in Patient’s Home, Telehealth Provided Other than in Patient’s Home