Pathfinder
Editor, Senior Moderator
Coding direction: Avian influenza A
Effective April 1, 2026 — This bulletin clarifies how to classify avian influenza A (any subtype or subtype not specified) and updates coding direction for classifying avian influenza A (any subtype or subtype not specified) using the Canadian Emergency Department Diagnosis Shortlist (CED-DxS).
Coding direction for DAD and NACRS
Updated direction: Avian influenza A (any subtype or subtype not specified) is classified to J09 Influenza due to identified zoonotic or pandemic influenza virus.
All other identified influenza virus strains are classified to J10.– Influenza due to identified seasonal influenza virus.
Please disregard previous direction to classify influenza A (only subtype H5N1) to J09 Influenza due to identified zoonotic or pandemic influenza virus.
Zoonotic influenza viruses are influenza type A viruses that are transmitted from animals to humans; they are rarely transmitted from one human to another. Zoonotic influenza is also known as non-seasonal influenza, as it may be transmitted at any time of the year when people are exposed to animal influenza viruses.
Seasonal influenza viruses are those that have adapted to humans; they are strains of influenza virus types A and B that cause respiratory illnesses in humans annually. Seasonal influenza spreads between humans and can cause mild to severe illnesses. Seasonal influenza virus strains are classified to J10.– Influenza due to identified seasonal influenza virus.
To determine the current status of influenza viruses — that is, whether they are seasonal or non-seasonal — refer to the Global Influenza Programme web pageExternal link from the World Health Organization (WHO).
Update: Capturing avian influenza A using CED-DxS
The ICD-10-CA code J09 Influenza due to identified zoonotic or pandemic influenza virus and the accompanying common diagnostic term Avian (Bird) Flu are available for use in the CED-DxS v8.3.
Use J09 to classify influenza due to avian influenza A (any subtype or subtype not specified), as outlined in this bulletin.
The CED-DxS is used to capture ED Discharge Diagnoses (NACRS data element 137).
Send your questions about the CED-DxS to nacrspicklists@cihi.ca.
For further clinical information, refer to Influenza (avian and other zoonotic)External link (World Health Organization).
https://www.cihi.ca/en/coding-direction-avian-influenza-a
Effective April 1, 2026 — This bulletin clarifies how to classify avian influenza A (any subtype or subtype not specified) and updates coding direction for classifying avian influenza A (any subtype or subtype not specified) using the Canadian Emergency Department Diagnosis Shortlist (CED-DxS).
Coding direction for DAD and NACRS
Updated direction: Avian influenza A (any subtype or subtype not specified) is classified to J09 Influenza due to identified zoonotic or pandemic influenza virus.
All other identified influenza virus strains are classified to J10.– Influenza due to identified seasonal influenza virus.
Please disregard previous direction to classify influenza A (only subtype H5N1) to J09 Influenza due to identified zoonotic or pandemic influenza virus.
Zoonotic influenza viruses are influenza type A viruses that are transmitted from animals to humans; they are rarely transmitted from one human to another. Zoonotic influenza is also known as non-seasonal influenza, as it may be transmitted at any time of the year when people are exposed to animal influenza viruses.
Seasonal influenza viruses are those that have adapted to humans; they are strains of influenza virus types A and B that cause respiratory illnesses in humans annually. Seasonal influenza spreads between humans and can cause mild to severe illnesses. Seasonal influenza virus strains are classified to J10.– Influenza due to identified seasonal influenza virus.
To determine the current status of influenza viruses — that is, whether they are seasonal or non-seasonal — refer to the Global Influenza Programme web pageExternal link from the World Health Organization (WHO).
Update: Capturing avian influenza A using CED-DxS
The ICD-10-CA code J09 Influenza due to identified zoonotic or pandemic influenza virus and the accompanying common diagnostic term Avian (Bird) Flu are available for use in the CED-DxS v8.3.
Use J09 to classify influenza due to avian influenza A (any subtype or subtype not specified), as outlined in this bulletin.
The CED-DxS is used to capture ED Discharge Diagnoses (NACRS data element 137).
Send your questions about the CED-DxS to nacrspicklists@cihi.ca.
For further clinical information, refer to Influenza (avian and other zoonotic)External link (World Health Organization).
https://www.cihi.ca/en/coding-direction-avian-influenza-a