Tularaemia
ICD-10 A21.3 is a billable code used to indicate a diagnosis of tularaemia.
Tularaemia, also known as rabbit fever, is an infectious disease caused by the bacterium Francisella tularensis. This zoonotic infection primarily affects animals, particularly rodents, rabbits, and hares, but can be transmitted to humans through various routes. The disease is characterized by a range of clinical manifestations, including fever, chills, headaches, and localized infections that can lead to severe complications if untreated. Transmission to humans can occur through direct contact with infected animals, bites from infected insects (such as ticks and deer flies), inhalation of contaminated aerosols, or ingestion of contaminated food or water. The clinical presentation can vary depending on the route of infection, with ulceroglandular, glandular, oculoglandular, or pneumonic forms being the most common. Public health considerations are critical, as tularaemia is a reportable disease in many jurisdictions, and outbreaks can occur in areas with high populations of infected wildlife. Effective management includes prompt diagnosis, antibiotic treatment, and preventive measures to reduce exposure to potential vectors.
Detailed patient history, including exposure to animals or vectors, and laboratory confirmation of diagnosis.
Patients presenting with fever and history of animal exposure, or those with atypical pneumonia.
Ensure all clinical forms of tularaemia are documented to support accurate coding.
Comprehensive reporting of cases, including epidemiological data and potential outbreak information.
Investigation of clusters of cases in specific geographic areas.
Focus on zoonotic transmission and preventive measures in documentation.
Used when laboratory confirmation of tularaemia is required.
Document the reason for culture and any relevant clinical findings.
Infectious disease specialists should ensure cultures are properly ordered and results documented.
Common symptoms include fever, chills, headaches, and swollen lymph nodes. The specific symptoms can vary based on the route of infection.
Tularaemia can be transmitted through direct contact with infected animals, bites from infected insects, inhalation of contaminated aerosols, or ingestion of contaminated food or water.
