A21.3

What This Code Means

Tularemia is a serious bacterial infection caused by Francisella tularensis, and this code specifically indicates the infection has affected the gastrointestinal system, causing symptoms like abdominal pain, diarrhea, and nausea. This form of tularemia typically results from eating contaminated food or water.

Coding Tips

• •Verify documentation specifies gastrointestinal involvement rather than other forms of tularemia (typhoidal, ulceroglandular, pneumonic, etc.) before assigning this code
• •This is a reportable disease in most jurisdictions; ensure proper reporting requirements are met and consider adding a code for the source of infection if documented