Glanders

This code represents glanders, a rare and severe infectious disease primarily affecting equids (horses, donkeys, mules) but transmissible to humans. It is caused by the bacterium Burkholderia mallei and can manifest in various forms, including localized cutaneous lesions, pulmonary involvement, or a disseminated septicemic illness.

Assign this code for confirmed cases of human glanders infection. Documentation should clearly indicate a diagnosis of glanders, often supported by laboratory confirmation of Burkholderia mallei or characteristic clinical findings in an individual with exposure to infected animals or contaminated materials.

• Ensure documentation specifies human glanders; this code is not for animal glanders.
• Consider additional codes for specific manifestations, such as pneumonia (J17.0) or skin lesions (L08.9), if documented.
• Verify the source of infection if possible, although this does not change the primary diagnosis code.