COLOMBO, June 5 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lanka's Health Ministry has issued a "red alert" on rat fever in several districts across the island in the aftermath of heavy monsoonal rains, which killed 24 people and displaced over 75,000 others, local media reported Tuesday.

Health authorities said districts affected by floods, were at a risk of many diseases, including rat fever, and urged the public to take safety measures.

The Health Ministry said those identified in "high risk groups," such as those working in paddy fields or in places where there is stagnant water, should obtain medicines to prevent rat fever.

The ministry further said that those who suffered from wounds or even minor cuts on their feet, should refrain from working in paddy fields or standing in stagnant water.

Doctors explained that symptoms of rat fever include fever, headache and body ache. If left untreated, it can affect the kidneys and be fatal.

Following the recent monsoonal rains which lashed out across the country, districts such as Puttalam, Galle, Matara, Kalutara and Ratnapura were severely affected.