Nonthaburi public-health chief Dr Sompong Boonsuebchart said yesterday he had received a report that seven students were being treated for suspected HFMD. He also warned the disease could be fatal in some serious cases.

"We are waiting for lab tests to conclude whether these students have contracted HFMD," he said.

Sompong inspected the Denlah Kindergarten in Rama V straight after parents said the school was still open yesterday morning despite an official recommendation it should remain closed.

Following the inspection, Bang Kruay district chief Kamon Sanpha-arsa said the kindergarten would stay closed until October 9.

Kindergarten director Arn Pandejpong said he was initially told that only one student had contracted the disease.

District chief Kamon said the school had good hygiene standards.

Anupong Kanpum, who chairs the Tambon Bang Khun Krong Administrative Organisation, sent out cautionary letters to schools, advising them to alert relevant authorities if they suspected any students had the illness.

Meanwhile, it will take five more days to determine if a Bangkok Christian College student, who passed away on Sept 16, died of a virulent strain of HFMD, Medical Sciences Department chief Dr Paijit Warachit said.