Eastern equine encephalitis

This code signifies a severe, mosquito-borne viral infection affecting the central nervous system, specifically Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE). It is characterized by inflammation of the brain and spinal cord, often leading to significant neurological deficits or death.

Assign this code for confirmed cases of Eastern equine encephalitis based on laboratory testing (e.g., serology, PCR) or strong clinical suspicion in an endemic area with supporting documentation of neurological symptoms. It is appropriate when the patient presents with encephalitis attributed to the EEE virus.

• Ensure documentation clearly specifies "Eastern equine" to differentiate from other forms of viral encephalitis.
• Always sequence this code as the primary diagnosis when it is the reason for the encounter.
• Look for documentation of the vector (mosquito) exposure, although not required for coding this specific diagnosis.