10 TB cases were reported in Coventry Amazon warehouse. (Photo - Reuters)
Digital Desk, New Delhi. Cases of tuberculosis (TB) have been confirmed at Amazon's fulfillment center located in the city of Coventry, United Kingdom.
This bacterial infection, often known as the 'Victorian disease', has raised serious concerns over the health safety of workers.
According to a BBC report, the GMB union has confirmed several cases of TB in this Amazon warehouse, where about 3,000 employees work. The union has demanded immediate closure of the site to prevent infection.
What did Amazon say?
Amazon has admitted that 10 cases of TB were reported in September. The company says these cases were identified in 2025. An Amazon warehouse spokesperson said no new cases have been found since then.
He said, 'The site is being operated normally during the screening program taking all precautions. In line with best practice safety procedures, we have immediately followed NHS and UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) guidance, as well as informing all potentially affected staff of the situation.'
Amazon is currently running a comprehensive screening program in collaboration with the NHS and UKHSA, which includes testing potentially affected employees.
The company has declared these cases as non-contagious. The company has stressed that they are strictly following the guidance of health officials.
Demand raised to close the warehouse
Dr. of UKHSA West Midlands. According to Roger Gajraj, people who came in contact with the affected employees in the warehouse are being investigated. He stressed that the overall risk is low and TB is completely treatable with antibiotics.
According to NHS guidelines, symptoms of TB include a persistent cough, fatigue, high fever, loss of appetite and weight loss. Latent TB does not show symptoms, but it can become active later.
UKHSA data shows TB cases in the UK are set to increase by 136% in 2024, with around 5,500 people found to be affected.
Screening is being done in collaboration with health agencies
On the other hand, the GMB union has called for the warehouse to be temporarily closed and all 3,000 workers to be sent home with full pay until the infection can be completely controlled.
Coventry South MP Zara Sultana has strongly criticized Amazon's decision. He said it was wrong not to shut down the site despite so many confirmed cases.
Sultana alleged that the company was treating the employees as objects of use. “Due to the number of confirmed cases at the site, the warehouse should be closed immediately and employees should be paid full salaries and sent home,” he said.
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