Amazon Warehouse TB Outbreak Raises Workplace Safety Concerns in Coventry

Tuberculosis Outbreak at Amazon Coventry Facility

Multiple tuberculosis cases have been reported at the Amazon fulfilment centre in Coventry, according to the GMB union. The outbreak has drawn significant attention to workplace health and safety standards at one of the UK’s largest online retailers. Amazon identified 10 cases of tuberculosis (TB) at its Coventry fulfilment centre in September 2025. The facility, located at Lyons Park on Sayer Drive, employs approximately 2,000 workers and has continued operations despite growing concerns from union representatives and local officials.

Union Demands and Safety Concerns

The union claims NHS staff attended this week to perform blood tests on members of staff and is calling on Amazon to close the site. GMB Senior Organiser Amanda Gearing warned that Coventry Amazon risks becoming the engine room of a mass TB outbreak on a scale not seen for decades. The union has called for immediate action, demanding that workers be medically suspended on full pay until appropriate infection control measures are implemented to prevent further spread of TB.

The situation has also attracted political attention. MP for Coventry South, Zarah Sultana, said Amazon not closing the site is outrageous, adding the company owned by Jeff Bezos is treating its employees as if they’re disposable. Union representatives argue that current workplace conditions reflect inadequate safety standards for a modern facility.

Health Officials’ Response and Company Statement

Health authorities have sought to reassure the public about the situation. Dr Roger Gajraj, consultant in health protection with UKHSA West Midlands, said: The small number of individuals affected by tuberculosis are responding well to treatment and are no longer infectious, so pose no onward risk. The overall risk remains low.

Amazon has defended its handling of the outbreak. Last year, ten people who work at our Coventry fulfilment centre tested positive for non-contagious TB. A spokesman for Amazon said no additional cases had since been identified and its side continued to run as normal. The company confirmed it is following NHS and UKHSA guidance and conducting an expanded screening programme as a precautionary measure.

Significance for Workers and Public Health

Tuberculosis, or TB, is the world’s deadliest infectious disease and kills more than one million people each year, according to World Health Organisation data. However, TB is fully treatable with antibiotics. The outbreak highlights the ongoing challenges of managing infectious diseases in large workplaces and the importance of robust health surveillance systems.

This incident serves as a critical reminder of the need for vigilant workplace health standards and transparent communication between employers, health authorities, and workers. As screening continues at the facility, the situation remains under close monitoring by both public health officials and worker advocacy groups, with the balance between operational continuity and employee safety at the centre of ongoing discussions.