U00-U49: Provisional assignment of new diseases of uncertain etiology or emergency use

U26: Emergency use of U26

U26 is a series of codes utilized to categorize conditions related to public health emergencies. Conditions within this group are directly correlated to urgent health threats that necessitate immediate attention due to their risks to population health. These threats could arise due to natural, accidental, or deliberate events such as outbreaks of novel diseases, bioterrorism, or significant environmental threats. Depending upon the nature of the emergency, transmission routes, symptoms, disease progression and affected systems can vary greatly. Symptoms could range from respiratory issues, fevers and chills, to gastrointestinal disturbances, skin rashes, or neurological issues. Various body systems can be affected based on the nature of the emergent issue, whether that be virulent infectious diseases, exposure to biological or chemical hazards, or other public health crises.