Amazon UK Warehouse Hit by ‘Victorian Disease’ Tuberculosis Outbreak
Tuberculosis Cases Emerge at Amazon Fulfilment Centre
Amazon has confirmed an outbreak of tuberculosis (TB) at its Coventry fulfilment centre in the UK. It is a bacterial infection often labelled a ‘Victorian disease’. According to a report by the BBC, the company confirmed that 10 cases of non-contagious TB were detected in September, and said it is coordinating with the National Health Service (NHS) on a screening program. The facility employs approximately 3,000 people, making this outbreak a significant workplace health concern.
Why It’s Called a ‘Victorian Disease’
The disease earned the label “Victorian disease” because it was widespread during the 1800s, particularly in overcrowded and poorly ventilated environments. The term “Victorian disease” is used for bacterial or parasitic illnesses that were common during the 1800s. Tuberculosis, alongside cholera and typhoid fever, plagued 19th-century Britain before modern sanitation and medical advances helped control such diseases. The recent resurgence has raised concerns about contemporary workplace conditions and public health.
Union and Political Response
The GMB union has flagged concerns over multiple TB cases at the site, which employs nearly 3,000 employees, urging authorities to temporarily shut down the warehouse. Zarah Sultana, the Member of Parliament for Coventry South, slammed Amazon’s decision not to close the warehouse as ‘outrageous’ and called the working conditions ‘Victorian’. The union represents around 700 members at the site and has demanded that workers be sent home on full pay while health checks are completed.
Amazon’s Official Response
Amazon added that no further cases have since been found, and operations at the site are still being continued to run as usual while precautionary screening is underway amid an abundance of caution. They added that while this was going on, the site would continue to operate as normal, and they were following guidance from the UK’s National Health Service (NHS) and UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA). Dr. Roger Gajraj, a consultant with UKHSA West Midlands, noted that affected individuals are responding well to treatment and are no longer infectious.
Broader Public Health Context
Based on the report released by the World Health Organisation (WHO) on tuberculosis, the disease has claimed the lives of more than 1.6 million people in 2021, making TB the second leading infectious disease after COVID-19. Government data shows that TB cases across England rose by around 13.6% in 2024, nearing the World Health Organization’s threshold for low incidence countries. This Amazon outbreak highlights ongoing challenges in controlling infectious diseases even in developed nations with modern healthcare systems.
What This Means for Workers and the Public
The incident has reignited debates about occupational health standards in large warehouse operations. While health officials maintain the risk remains low and the cases are non-contagious, the outbreak serves as a reminder that infectious diseases require constant vigilance. TB is curable with antibiotics, but untreated cases can become severe and even fatal. Health experts stress that early detection and timely treatment are key to recovery. As screening continues and tensions between Amazon, unions, and health authorities persist, this case underscores the importance of proactive workplace health measures.