Carrier of bacterial disease due to meningococci

This code identifies an individual who harbors Neisseria meningitidis in their body, typically in the nasopharynx, without exhibiting active symptoms of meningococcal disease. These individuals can transmit the bacteria to others, acting as a reservoir for infection within a community.

This code is appropriate for documenting asymptomatic carriers identified through screening, such as during outbreak investigations or contact tracing for a confirmed case of meningococcal disease. It also applies to individuals found to be carriers during routine surveillance in high-risk populations.

• Assign this code only when laboratory confirmation of meningococcal carriage is present.
• Do not use this code if the patient has active meningococcal disease; instead, code the specific manifestation (e.g., meningitis, septicemia).
• Consider an additional code for any associated risk factors or reasons for screening, if applicable.