Ethnic Koreans in New York City have reportedly contracted the H1N1 influenza.

Media outlets for ethnic Koreans in the region reported Wednesday that at least five ethnic Koreans have contracted the influenza in the New York borough of Queens.

An official at the South Korean Consulate in New York said Wednesday that although the figure has not been confirmed, it is likely that some Koreans have been infected.

The consulate officially demanded health authorities in New York release an accurate number of Koreans who have contracted the strain. The consulate also sent letters to 132 Korean language schools in New York and New Jersey to encourage them to temporarily close the schools.