According to Indian newspaper The Hindu, 3000 birds died on a farm in Hayatnagar near Hyderabad, showing symptoms of respiratory illness.

“We tested the samples sent to us and found Ranikhet disease. In summer, the risk of outbreak is high and the farmer did not vaccinate the birds, which led to their deaths,” the newspaper reported an official from the State’s Animal Husbandry Department as saying.

He noted that most of the birds that died were spent and old birds, suggesting that the farmer had neglected them as they are not productive. The official also confirmed that no signs of avian influenza have been found.

A shortage of water is reportedly preventing poultry producers from helping their birds in the heat.

“If water is available in adequate quantity, we can run sprinklers and provide cool drinking water through the pipes. Shortage however forces us to contend with limited water, which when passed through pipes, is hot and kills the birds,” said E. Pradeep Rao, President of Telangana State Poultry Federation.

Prices of birds have reportedly soared, whilst egg prices have fallen on decreased consumption.