Amazon Warehouse Hit by Tuberculosis Outbreak: Union Demands Immediate Closure

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COVENTRY, UK – A major health scare has erupted at an Amazon fulfillment center in Coventry after the company confirmed an outbreak of tuberculosis (TB) among its workforce. The resurgence of the illness, often described as a “Victorian disease,” has triggered urgent calls from the GMB union for the immediate closure of the facility to protect the health of thousands of employees.

According to reports from The Guardian and the BBC, health officials have identified a cluster of cases at the site, which employs approximately 3,000 people. While Amazon maintains that it is following all public health guidelines, the situation has escalated tensions between the tech giant and labor representatives who argue that the current safety measures are insufficient to contain the spread of the infectious bacterial disease.

The outbreak has prompted a wider screening program led by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and the National Health Service (NHS). As medical teams descend on the warehouse to conduct tests, workers face growing anxiety over their safety in one of the UK’s busiest logistics hubs.

Details of the Outbreak

The alarm was raised after a small number of individuals at the Coventry warehouse were diagnosed with active, contagious tuberculosis. In addition to these active cases, Amazon confirmed that ten workers had previously tested positive for “latent” tuberculosis—a non-contagious form of the condition where the bacteria remain dormant in the body—during screenings conducted in late 2025.

Tuberculosis is a bacterial infection that primarily affects the lungs and is spread through inhaling tiny droplets from the coughs or sneezes of an infected person. Symptoms include a persistent cough, weight loss, night sweats, and high temperature. While the disease was once a leading cause of death in the 19th century, it is now fully treatable with antibiotics, though it remains a serious public health concern if left unchecked.

According to the UKHSA, the individuals with active TB are currently undergoing treatment and are responding well. Dr. Roger Gajraj, a consultant in health protection with the UKHSA, stated that the overall risk to the wider workforce remains “low” and that testing is being offered to those who had close contact with the infected individuals as a precautionary measure.

Union Demands Immediate Action

Despite assurances from health officials, the GMB union has accused Amazon of putting profit before people. Amanda Gearing, a senior organizer for the GMB, issued a blistering statement calling for the facility to be shut down until the risk is eliminated. “Amazon is putting all workers, site visitors, and the local and wider communities at risk of exposure to a serious infectious disease,” Gearing said.

The union is demanding that Amazon medically suspend its employees on full pay while a comprehensive deep clean and full workforce screening are completed. “Coventry Amazon risks becoming the engine room of a mass TB outbreak on a scale not seen for decades,” Gearing warned, urging the company to take “immediate and decisive action.”

Workers at the site have expressed fear and frustration. Reports indicate that some employees are threatening to walk out, citing the high density of workers and the nature of the warehouse environment as factors that could facilitate the rapid spread of the infection. Concerns have also been raised regarding the vulnerability of the workforce, which includes a diverse population that may have varying levels of immunity or vaccination history.

Amazon and Health Officials Respond

Amazon has rejected calls to close the warehouse, stating that it is acting out of an “abundance of caution” and in strict adherence to guidance from the NHS and UKHSA. A spokesperson for the company emphasized that the safety and well-being of team members is their “top priority.”

“We immediately followed guidance from the NHS and UKHSA and made all employees potentially affected aware of the situation,” the spokesperson said. The company confirmed that operations at the site are continuing as normal while the expanded screening program takes place. Amazon also noted that the ten cases identified in September were non-contagious and posed no risk to others at that time.

The UKHSA has supported the approach of targeted screening rather than a full site closure. Health officials are currently on-site performing blood tests and assessing the extent of the transmission. They have reiterated that TB is not as easily transmitted as viruses like flu or COVID-19, usually requiring prolonged close contact for infection to occur.

Broader Implications for Workplace Health

This incident highlights a growing concern regarding the resurgence of tuberculosis in the UK. Data suggests that TB cases have been rising in England, with over 5,000 notifications reported in recent years. The “Victorian disease” is often associated with crowded living or working conditions, and its presence in a modern, high-tech facility like an Amazon warehouse has drawn sharp criticism from politicians and labor rights advocates.

Zarah Sultana, the MP for Coventry South, described the decision to keep the warehouse open as “outrageous.” She accused Amazon of treating its workers as “disposable” and echoed the union’s call for stronger protections. The outbreak adds to the ongoing scrutiny of working conditions at Amazon’s fulfillment centers, which have previously faced criticism over injury rates and high-pressure productivity quotas.

Conclusion

The tuberculosis outbreak at Amazon’s Coventry warehouse has created a tense standoff between one of the world’s largest employers and the workers who keep its logistics network running. While health authorities maintain that the immediate risk is manageable, the fear of a “Victorian” contagion has ignited a fierce debate about workplace safety standards. As screening continues and the GMB union presses its demands, the situation remains fluid, serving as a stark reminder of the persistent threat posed by infectious diseases in large-scale industrial environments.

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