A81.8 ICD-10-CA code: Other atypical virus infections of central nervous system
A81.8 is the ICD-10-CA code for “Other atypical virus infections of central nervous system” in CIHI’s FY 2026–2027 release, in effect from Apr 1, 2026.
Official description
A81.8Other atypical virus infections of central nervous system
Short description: Other atypical virus infections of CNS
ICD-10-CA · Canada · Also written A818
Index terms
Entries in CIHI’s alphabetical index that lead to A81.8. Searching the index by the condition the note names is how coders reach this code.
- Kuru
- Disease, diseased, kuru
- Infection, infected (opportunistic), slow virus, specified NEC
- Disease, diseased, prion, central nervous system, specified NEC
- Infection, infected (opportunistic), virus NEC, slow, specified NEC
- Infection, infected (opportunistic), virus NEC, central nervous system, atypical, specified NEC
- Infection, infected (opportunistic), virus NEC, central nervous system, slow virus, specified NEC
Notes for A81.8
As CIHI prints them, with any note A81.8 takes from the headings above it.
Includes
- Kuru
- Prion diseases of the central nervous systemFrom A81 Atypical virus infections of central nervous system
- Diseases generally recognized as communicable or transmissibleFrom Chapter 1: Certain infectious and parasitic diseases (A00-B99)
Use additional code
Add a code for this detail when the note documents it.
- Use additional code (U82-U84) to identify resistance to antimicrobial drugsFrom Chapter 1: Certain infectious and parasitic diseases (A00-B99)
Excludes
Conditions classified elsewhere.
- Sequelae of:• poliomyelitis (B91)• viral encephalitis (B94.1)From A80-A89 Viral infections of the central nervous system
- Carrier or suspected carrier of infectious disease (Z22.-)certain localized infections - see body system-related chaptersinfectious and parasitic diseases:• complicating pregnancy, childbirth and the puerperium [except obstetrical tetanus] (O98.-)• specific to the perinatal period [except tetanus neonatorum, whooping cough, congenital syphilis, perinatal gonococcal infection and perinatal human immunodeficiency virus [HIV] disease] (P35-P39)influenza and other acute respiratory infections (J00-J22)From Chapter 1: Certain infectious and parasitic diseases (A00-B99)
Where A81.8 sits
- 1ChapterChapter 1: Certain infectious and parasitic diseases (A00-B99)
- 2Block A80-A89Viral infections of the central nervous system
- 3Category A81Atypical virus infections of central nervous system
- 4Valid code A81.8Other atypical virus infections of central nervous system
Source and release
- Data release
- ICD-10-CA · FY 2026–2027
- Effective date
- Apr 1, 2026
- Publisher
- CIHI
This page is built from the ICD-10-CA catalog that Vero Codes reads when it suggests codes: Canadian Institute for Health Information’s FY 2026–2027 release, imported from the publisher’s file and checked against it. The description, notes and structured data come from the same record.
Frequently asked questions
What does ICD-10-CA code A81.8 mean?
A81.8 is the ICD-10-CA code for “Other atypical virus infections of central nervous system” in CIHI’s ICD-10-CA FY 2026–2027 release.
Where is A81.8 in ICD-10-CA?
A81.8 sits under A81 Atypical virus infections of central nervous system, within A80-A89 Viral infections of the central nervous system, within Chapter 1: Certain infectious and parasitic diseases (A00-B99).
What coding notes apply to A81.8?
ICD-10-CA lists Includes, Excludes, Use additional code notes for A81.8, including those from the headings it sits under. They are listed on this page with where each one comes from.
Which ICD-10-CA release does this page use?
It uses CIHI’s FY 2026–2027 release, in effect from Apr 1, 2026 to Mar 31, 2027. It is a reference: confirm the code against the current list and the payer’s rules before you submit it.