Amazon is testing for tuberculosis (TB) at its Coventry fulfillment center after a small number of workers were found to have the infectious lung disease.
The company confirmed the review was being carried out as a precautionary measure after several cases were identified at the site, which the GMB union said employs around 2,000 people.
The UK Health Safety Authority (UKHSA) launched a targeted screening program at the camp in September after a handful of workers were diagnosed with active, contagious tuberculosis last year. Amazon said an additional 10 employees tested positive for latent tuberculosis toward the end of 2025.
Latent tuberculosis means that the bacteria are present in the body, but the person has no symptoms and cannot pass on the disease. However, without treatment, latent tuberculosis can later develop into an active and infectious form.
Dr. Roger Gajraj, health security adviser at Britain’s Health Security Agency, said those diagnosed with active tuberculosis responded well to treatment and were no longer infectious.
“As a precautionary measure and in line with national guidelines, we are offering testing for those who may have had closer contact with the affected individuals,” he said. “The overall risk remains low. Tuberculosis is fully treatable with antibiotics and we continue to work closely with Amazon to monitor the situation.”
Amazon said it acted immediately after discovering the first cases. A spokesperson said: “We have followed guidance from the NHS and UKHSA and made all potentially affected staff aware of the situation. Out of an abundance of caution, we are now undertaking an enhanced screening program with the NHS. Nothing is more important than the safety and wellbeing of our team members.”
However, the GMB union has called for tougher measures. Amanda Gearing, a senior union organizer at the Coventry site, called for “immediate and decisive action”, including the temporary closure of the warehouse until infection control measures are fully implemented.
The union said NHS staff had been on site this week carrying out blood tests on workers and several cases had been reported. An employee told union representatives that there were concerns that some migrant workers could be more at risk if they had not received a tuberculosis vaccination in their countries of origin.
Coventry City Council said it was encouraging residents to pay attention to symptoms amid a general rise in TB cases. A council spokesman said: “TB testing and treatment is free for all members of the NHS, regardless of immigration status. Anyone experiencing symptoms should contact their GP or the NHS emergency number 111 immediately.”
The most common symptoms of tuberculosis include a persistent cough lasting more than three weeks, fatigue, fever, night sweats, and unexplained weight loss. The disease spreads through prolonged close contact with someone who has active tuberculosis.
According to government data released in October, TB notifications rose 13.6 percent in 2024 to 5,490 cases, putting the UK close to the World Health Organization’s threshold for a low-incidence country.
The Coventry warehouse has been at the center of industry unrest before, with Amazon narrowly defeating a vote to recognize unions at the site in 2024.
