Amazon has confirmed multiple cases of tuberculosis, historically called a “Victorian disease,” at one of its large UK warehouses, triggering calls from a major union to temporarily shut the facility and protect workers. Health authorities say the overall risk remains low, but the incident is raising fresh concerns about workplace safety and the resurgence of an old killer disease.
TL;DR
Amazon confirmed 10 cases of tuberculosis (TB) at its Coventry fulfillment center, sometimes referred to as a “Victorian disease.” The GMB union is demanding an immediate closure of the site to conduct full screening and protect staff as expanded testing continues with the NHS and UK Health Security Agency.
What is the “Victorian disease”?
The term “Victorian disease” refers to tuberculosis (TB), an ancient bacterial infection once widespread in 19th-century cities before antibiotics and vaccines dramatically reduced its toll. TB primarily affects the lungs, but it can attack other organs as well.
TB is caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis and can be latent (present in the body but not infectious) or active (symptomatic and contagious). Modern medicine treats TB effectively with antibiotics, but it remains a public health concern in some regions and populations.
What happened at the Amazon warehouse?
Amazon confirmed that 10 workers at its Coventry fulfillment center in the UK tested positive for TB late last year. Many of these cases were classified as latent TB, which cannot spread to others but may require treatment to prevent progression to active disease.
The company says it acted on medical guidance promptly, notifying potentially affected employees and coordinating with the National Health Service (NHS) and the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) to launch an expanded screening program. Amazon also stressed that no additional cases have been identified since the initial ones.
Despite this, the site continues to operate while health checks are underway. Officials are offering blood tests to workers who may have been in close contact with the infected employees.
Why the union wants the warehouse shut down
The GMB union, which represents many of the Amazon employees at the Coventry site, has been highly critical of the company’s response. The union argues that keeping the warehouse open poses a risk to workers and local communities and calls for an immediate temporary closure until health measures are fully implemented.
Amanda Gearing, a senior organizer for the GMB, warned that the dense working environment could turn the warehouse into an “engine room” for a larger outbreak if not properly controlled. The union wants employees sent home on full pay while comprehensive infection control and screening measures are put in place.
What health authorities say
Public health officials, while monitoring the situation closely, have described the risk as low and emphasized that the cases currently identified are not infectious. Dr. Roger Gajraj, a consultant with the UKHSA West Midlands, said those diagnosed are responding well to treatment and are no longer contagious.
The UKHSA and NHS continue to run a precautionary screening program and advise testing for anyone with possible exposure at the site. Authorities stress that TB is treatable and preventable with modern medicines and public health protocols.
What are TB symptoms to watch for?
Tuberculosis can cause a range of symptoms, especially if it becomes active. Health agencies like the NHS list common signs, including:
- Persistent cough lasting more than three weeks
- Night sweats and fever
- Unexplained weight loss
- Fatigue and loss of appetite
Active TB most commonly affects the lungs, but it can spread to other parts of the body, leading to symptoms in bones, kidneys, or the nervous system in more severe cases.
Why this matters now
This incident has triggered broader public health and worker safety discussions in the UK. Tuberculosis has been on the rise in recent years, with cases increasing by around 13.6% in England in 2024, nearing thresholds defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) for low-incidence countries.
Coventry, an urban center with a diverse workforce, has also been a focal point for industrial negotiations and worker advocacy, making the outbreak a flashpoint for conversations about occupational health standards and corporate responsibility.
The tension between business and health safety
Amazon insists it followed all expert guidance and that the well-being of its workforce remains a priority. A spokesperson reiterated that the expanded screening is a precaution and that operations would continue while safety protocols are enforced.
However, union leaders, local politicians, and worker advocates argue that the company should take stronger action, including halting operations temporarily until there’s clearer assurance that the site is safe for all employees.
A disease from the past in the modern workplace
To many, the phrase “Victorian disease” evokes images of crowded 19th-century cities where diseases spread rapidly due to poor living conditions. Yet TB has not disappeared, even in high-income countries. The Coventry incident reminds the public that infectious diseases still pose real challenges and that vigilant public health measures remain crucial.
It also highlights the balance employers must strike between maintaining business continuity and safeguarding the health of workers, particularly in dense, high-interaction environments like fulfillment warehouses.
Final takeaway
Ten TB cases at Amazon’s Coventry warehouse, none currently infectious but still serious, have prompted a clash between a major employer and worker advocates over safety, transparency, and public health. As expanded screenings continue and authorities monitor the situation, the incident underscores that even well-controlled diseases from history can reemerge as modern workplace issues.
