Amazon UK Warehouse Faces Scrutiny Amid Tuberculosis Outbreak

Amazon has confirmed an outbreak of tuberculosis (TB) at its Coventry, UK fulfillment center, with 10 cases of non-contagious latent TB identified among employees in September 2025, prompting an ongoing expanded screening program and strong criticism from a prominent union and a local Member of Parliament regarding worker safety.

The global e-commerce giant’s facility, which employs approximately 3,000 workers, has become the focal point of a public health concern as authorities and the company collaborate to manage the situation. While Amazon states that the identified cases are of a non-contagious form of TB and that no new cases have been reported since the initial detection, the GMB Union has demanded the immediate closure of the site to ensure employee well-being, raising questions about corporate responsibility in maintaining safe working environments.

Outbreak Details and Amazon’s Response

In September 2025, Amazon identified 10 employees at its Coventry fulfillment center who tested positive for latent tuberculosis. Latent TB infection occurs when a person carries the Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacteria but does not exhibit symptoms and cannot spread the infection to others. The bacteria remain inactive in the body and are typically detected through skin or blood tests. While not immediately contagious, latent TB can progress to active TB disease if left untreated, at which point it becomes infectious.

Following the initial identification, Amazon immediately engaged with health authorities, including the National Health Service (NHS) and the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA). In a statement, Amazon confirmed its adherence to ‘best practice safety procedures,’ stating that all potentially affected employees were made aware of the situation. An expanded screening program has been initiated as a precautionary measure, with NHS staff visiting the site to perform additional screenings. Amazon maintains that the site continues to operate normally, emphasizing that the detected cases were non-contagious and that no additional cases have been identified since September. The company has committed to continuing to follow guidance from health experts.

The collaboration between Amazon and public health bodies aims to monitor the situation closely and prevent any potential progression of latent cases to active disease within the workforce. The proactive screening is intended to identify any further latent infections and offer timely treatment, thereby mitigating the risk of wider transmission.

Union and Political Leaders Demand Action

Despite Amazon’s assurances, the company’s handling of the outbreak has drawn significant criticism. The GMB Union, representing workers, has publicly called for the immediate closure of the Coventry facility. The union argues that maintaining operations amidst a TB outbreak demonstrates a disregard for worker safety, suggesting that a temporary closure is necessary to conduct thorough investigations and ensure a completely safe environment before employees return.

Zarah Sultana, the Member of Parliament for Coventry South, echoed these sentiments, strongly criticizing Amazon for not closing the warehouse. Sultana described the situation as ‘outrageous,’ highlighting concerns that employees are being subjected to ‘unsafe conditions reminiscent of the Victorian era.’ Her comments underscore the historical association of TB with poor living and working conditions and emphasize the importance of robust worker protections. Sultana further stressed the critical role of the trade union movement in safeguarding employee rights and advocating for their health and safety in the workplace.

These demands from both union leaders and elected officials reflect a broader concern about corporate accountability and the adequacy of current health and safety protocols in large-scale logistics operations, particularly when dealing with health crises. The calls for closure suggest a lack of confidence in the current ‘abundance of caution’ approach adopted by Amazon and health agencies, advocating instead for a more drastic, albeit temporary, measure to prioritize worker welfare.

Understanding Tuberculosis: Latent vs. Active

Tuberculosis, often referred to as a ‘Victorian disease’ due to its prevalence in the 19th century, remains a significant global health challenge. It is caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis and primarily affects the lungs, though it can impact other parts of the body. Understanding the distinction between latent TB infection and active TB disease is crucial for public health management.

As seen in the Amazon cases, latent TB infection means the bacteria are present in the body but are inactive. Individuals with latent TB show no symptoms, feel well, and, critically, cannot spread the infection to others. Detection typically requires specific medical tests, such as a tuberculin skin test (TST) or an interferon-gamma release assay (IGRA) blood test. While not contagious, treatment for latent TB is highly recommended to prevent the infection from progressing to active disease, especially in individuals with weakened immune systems.

Active TB disease, in contrast, involves the active multiplication of the bacteria, leading to noticeable symptoms and making the individual contagious. Symptoms of active TB can include a persistent cough lasting more than three weeks, chest pain, coughing up blood or sputum, fatigue, unexplained weight loss, fever, and night sweats. Active TB is spread through the air when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or speaks, releasing airborne droplets containing the bacteria. If left untreated, active TB can be fatal, but it is fully treatable with a course of antibiotics, typically lasting several months.

Factors increasing the risk of developing latent TB include close contact with someone who has active TB, a weakened immune system (due to conditions like HIV or certain medications), and living in or traveling to areas with high TB prevalence or crowded, substandard living conditions. The UKHSA reported a 13.6% rise in TB cases in the UK in 2024, with nearly 5,500 people testing positive, underscoring the ongoing relevance of TB prevention and control efforts.

Public Health Perspective and Ongoing Precautions

Public health officials, including Dr. Roger Gajraj from UKHSA West Midlands, have emphasized that the overall disease risk at the Amazon facility remains low. This assessment is primarily based on the fact that the identified cases are latent TB, which is non-contagious. The UKHSA’s involvement ensures that medical guidance and established protocols are followed rigorously. They have confirmed that tests are being offered to individuals who may have had close contact with the affected workers, aligning with standard public health practices to contain potential spread and offer preventive treatment.

The precautionary measures being implemented, such as expanded screenings and ongoing monitoring, are standard in managing such outbreaks. These steps are designed to identify any further latent infections and provide timely medical intervention, thereby preventing the progression to active, transmissible disease. The advice provided by health authorities consistently highlights that TB is a fully treatable condition with antibiotics, reinforcing the importance of early detection and adherence to prescribed treatment regimens.

The Amazon TB outbreak in Coventry highlights the delicate balance between maintaining business operations and ensuring robust public health and worker safety, particularly in large industrial settings where close contact among employees is common. The differing perspectives from Amazon, which emphasizes non-contagiousness and ongoing precautions, and the union and political figures, who advocate for more drastic measures like temporary closure, underscore the complexities of managing health crises in workplaces and the ongoing debate surrounding corporate responsibility in safeguarding employee well-being.