A tuberculosis outbreak at Amazon’s Coventry warehouse has prompted the company to test all workers at the facility. The move comes after a small number of employees were found to have contracted the contagious lung disease last year.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) began a screening programme at the site in September following the initial cases. Amazon has described the testing as a “precaution” to ensure the safety of its workforce.
Tuberculosis, or TB, is a serious infectious illness that primarily affects the lungs. It can spread through the air when someone with the active disease coughs or sneezes. Symptoms include a persistent cough, fever, and unexplained weight loss.
While TB is treatable with antibiotics, it remains a major global health problem. In the UK, around 5,500 new cases are reported each year, with higher rates among certain demographic groups.
An Amazon spokesperson confirmed that a “small number” of workers at the Coventry warehouse had been found to have contagious TB. They stated that the company was working closely with public health authorities to manage the situation.
“The health and safety of our employees is our top priority,” the spokesperson said. “As a precaution, we are providing TB testing for all associates at the site.”
The UKHSA has also been involved in the response, conducting contact tracing and offering testing to any individuals who may have been exposed to the disease. A spokesperson for the agency said they were “working with Amazon to ensure appropriate public health actions are taken”.
While the exact number of affected workers has not been disclosed, the outbreak is likely to cause concern among the Coventry warehouse staff. Amazon has faced criticism in the past over its treatment of warehouse employees, including allegations of poor working conditions and high-pressure targets.
The company has sought to reassure workers, stating that the TB testing is a routine precaution. However, the incident is likely to fuel ongoing debates around the tech giant’s labour practices and its commitment to employee wellbeing.
As the screening programme continues, Amazon and public health authorities will be hoping to contain the outbreak and prevent any further spread of the disease. With the health of its workforce at stake, the company will be under pressure to demonstrate that it is taking the situation seriously and prioritising the safety of its staff.
