Health officials are using counselling and yoga in Jyolikot to address continuing public anxiety after a jaundice outbreak affected more than 500 people in the Nainital area in recent months.

The department is maintaining contact with residents, explaining the illness and encouraging people to seek reliable health information. Officials say the effort is intended to reduce unnecessary fear while strengthening awareness about the disease.

Schools reopened after 2-month closure

As a precaution, schools and anganwadi centres in the area remained closed for around 2 months. They reopened on 5 October after the number of cases declined.

However, attendance was initially low because many families remained worried about the illness. Although conditions have since returned to normal, concerns about jaundice have not completely disappeared among residents.

The continuing fear has prompted the health department to place additional emphasis on mental wellbeing alongside disease awareness. Counselling is being provided through regular contact with people in the affected area.

Patient tracking and health checks continue

Nainital Chief Medical Officer Dr Rashmi Pant said the department was counselling residents to help remove the fear associated with the illness. She said yoga was also being used to help people become mentally stronger.

According to Pant, the combined approach is aimed at improving awareness and reducing avoidable anxiety. Health officials are also staying in touch with schools in the area.

Patient tracking and health examinations remain in progress. The department’s teams are continuing their outreach so that residents can receive information and support as the situation stabilises.

The health department’s response therefore covers both public-health monitoring and the emotional impact left by the outbreak. For families, the reopening of schools and anganwadi centres marks a return to routine, while ongoing checks and counselling are intended to support that recovery.

Conclusion

Jyolikot’s health response is continuing through counselling, yoga, awareness work, patient tracking and health checks after more than 500 people were affected by jaundice. Schools and anganwadi centres have reopened, while officials are working to reduce the fear that remains in the community.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What is the health department doing in Jyolikot?

The department is providing counselling, organising yoga and conducting awareness work through regular contact with residents.

Q. How many people were affected by jaundice?

More than 500 people in the Jyolikot area were affected in recent months.

Q. How long were schools and anganwadi centres closed?

They were closed for around 2 months as a precaution.

Q. When did the schools and anganwadi centres reopen?

They reopened on 5 October after the number of cases declined.

Q. Why was school attendance initially low after reopening?

Attendance was low in the early days because families remained fearful of the illness.

Q. Are health checks still being conducted?

Yes. Patient tracking and health examinations are continuing.

Q. Who provided the update on the department’s efforts?

Nainital Chief Medical Officer Dr Rashmi Pant provided the update.