KALAMAZOO, MI — The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and area health departments are investigating six cases of a rare gonorrhea infection, four of which have been confirmed in Kalamazoo County.

There has also been a confirmed case in St. Joseph County, and there is one possible case being reviewed in Calhoun County. Infected individuals range in age between 20 and 55, according to a news release from the MDHHS.

The infection, known as Disseminated Gonococcal Infection can occur following a sexually transmitted gonorrhea infection, and often requires hospitalization, the release states. Symptoms may include fevers, chills and joint pain, stiffness and swelling.

DGI can also cause infections in joints and internal organs, the release states.

Patients may or may not have the symptoms of a sexually transmitted disease, so anyone experiencing these symptoms is urged to contact their healthcare provider. Healthcare providers with patients experiencing these symptoms are asked to immediately report cases to their local health departments, the MDHHS states.

“We are urging Michigan residents to protect themselves from this rare but serious infection and other sexually transmitted diseases through safe sex practices, including using condoms,” said Sarah Lyon-Callo, MDHHS state epidemiologist.

Abstaining from sex, reducing the number of partners and consistent and correct use of condoms are all effective prevention strategies to prevent DGI and other sexually transmitted diseases, the MDHHS states.

Cases of chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis all increased in 2018, according to the department. Michigan reported 51,256 cases of chlamydia; 16,992 cases of gonorrhea; and 654 cases of primary and secondary syphilis.

In Kalamazoo County, gonorrhea has increased by 20 percent over the last year, from 854 cases to 1,027.