Amazon UK Warehouse TB Cases – Confirmed Outbreak at Coventry Warehouse
Amazon has confirmed a tuberculosis outbreak at its Coventry fulfilment centre, with ten employees testing positive for non-contagious TB. The cases, first identified in September 2025, became public in January 2026 after the GMB union demanded the temporary closure of the site. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is leading the response, offering testing to close contacts, and has stated that the overall risk to the wider public remains low.
The incident has drawn attention to worker safety conditions at one of Amazon’s largest UK warehouses, which employs around 3,000 people. While the company says the facility continues to operate normally, the union has called for immediate action to protect staff.
Did Amazon Confirm a TB Outbreak at Its Coventry Warehouse?
Amazon confirmed a TB outbreak at its Coventry warehouse in January 2026, following reports from the GMB union.
Ten employees tested positive for non-contagious (latent) TB, according to Amazon.
UKHSA is coordinating an expanded screening programme for workers who may have had close contact.
The GMB union demands the temporary closure of the warehouse and full‑pay medical suspension for affected staff.
- Rare public acknowledgment: Amazon’s confirmation marks a rare public acknowledgment of a workplace infectious disease outbreak.
- Localised response: UKHSA is treating this as a localised outbreak with low public risk; no other Amazon sites have reported cases.
- Union leverage: The GMB union is using the incident to highlight broader worker safety concerns at Amazon warehouses.
- Unspecified count initially: Early reports described a “handful” of cases; Amazon later specified ten employees with latent TB.
- Non‑contagious status: All affected individuals were diagnosed with latent (non‑contagious) TB and are no longer infectious.
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Event | TB outbreak at Amazon Coventry warehouse |
| Date confirmed | January 16, 2026 |
| Location | Amazon distribution centre, Coventry, UK |
| Number of cases | 10 (all latent, non‑contagious TB) |
| First detection | September 2025 |
| Response agency | UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) |
| Union involvement | GMB union calls for warehouse closure |
| Worker testing | Expanded screening programme for close contacts |
| Risk to public | Low (outbreak contained to workers) |
How Are Workers and the Public Health Agency Responding?
Are Amazon workers being tested for TB?
Yes. Amazon said it has launched an expanded screening programme in partnership with the NHS and UKHSA. Workers who may have had closer contact with the affected individuals are being offered testing. UKHSA consultant Dr Roger Gajraj confirmed that the affected employees are responding well to treatment and are no longer infectious.
Should the Amazon warehouse be closed?
The GMB union has demanded that the Coventry site be temporarily closed and that workers be medically suspended on full pay until infection‑control measures are in place. Amazon, however, has refused, stating that the warehouse is operating normally and that it has followed all NHS and UKHSA guidance. No closure has been announced.
The ten cases are all latent (non‑contagious) TB, not active infectious TB. Latent TB means the bacteria are present in the body but the person cannot spread the disease to others. UKHSA says the affected individuals are no longer infectious and that the overall risk remains low.
What is the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) doing?
UKHSA West Midlands is leading the response. The agency is offering testing to people who may have had close contact with the affected workers. Dr Gajraj stated that the individuals are responding well to treatment and that the risk to the wider community is low. Coventry City Council confirmed that UKHSA is coordinating all public health measures.
What Did the GMB Union and Amazon Say?
What did the GMB union demand?
The GMB union publicly called for the immediate temporary closure of the Coventry fulfilment centre. It also demanded that workers be medically suspended on full pay until adequate infection‑control measures are in place. The union has used this incident to renew its broader campaign for improved safety standards in Amazon warehouses across the UK.
What has Amazon said about the outbreak?
Amazon said it “takes this extremely seriously” and is working closely with UKHSA. The company confirmed it alerted potentially affected employees, launched an expanded screening programme with the NHS, and is following all official guidance. Amazon also stated that no additional cases have been identified since the initial ten were detected in September 2025, and that the site continues to run as normal.
While the GMB union describes the situation as an “outbreak” and calls for closure, public health authorities have not recommended closure. UKHSA has described the cases as latent TB, with no evidence of wider transmission. The disagreement reflects differing interpretations of the risks and precautionary measures.
What Should Workers and the Public Know About TB?
Is the TB outbreak limited to this one warehouse?
Based on available reports, only the Amazon Coventry fulfilment centre has been identified as the outbreak site. No other Amazon facilities in the UK have reported cases. UKHSA has not indicated any wider community spread.
What are the risks of tuberculosis for workers?
Tuberculosis is a bacterial infection that primarily affects the lungs and spreads through airborne droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Latent TB, as in this case, is not contagious. If left untreated, latent TB can sometimes develop into active TB, which is contagious. The UK has a low incidence of TB, with around 4,500 cases per year nationally.
A persistent cough lasting more than three weeks, fever, night sweats, unexplained weight loss, and coughing up blood. Workers experiencing these symptoms should seek medical advice promptly.
When Did the TB Outbreak Begin?
- September 2025: First cases of tuberculosis were detected among workers at the Amazon Coventry warehouse. UKHSA was notified.
- January 16, 2026: Amazon confirms the outbreak after the GMB union goes public. Multiple news outlets report the story. GMB calls for warehouse closure.
- January 16, 2026: Taiwo Owatemi MP expresses concern on Facebook, demanding transparency from Amazon.
- January 22, 2026: The BMJ publishes a brief medical news summary of the outbreak.
- Ongoing: UKHSA and Amazon continue contact tracing and testing. No decision on warehouse closure has been announced.
What Is Confirmed and What Remains Unclear?
| Established information | Information that remains unclear |
|---|---|
| Amazon confirmed a TB outbreak at its Coventry warehouse. | Exact number of confirmed TB cases (only a range of ten is known). |
| Ten employees tested positive for latent (non‑contagious) TB. | Whether any workers have become seriously ill or hospitalised. |
| UKHSA is involved and offering testing to close contacts. | Whether the warehouse will be closed (Amazon has not announced closure). |
| The GMB union has publicly called for temporary closure. | The exact strain of TB and whether it is drug‑resistant. |
| The outbreak was first detected in September 2025 and made public in January 2026. | Whether other Amazon warehouses may have been affected (no evidence so far). |
What Is the Broader Context of This Outbreak?
Tuberculosis is a bacterial infection that primarily affects the lungs and spreads through airborne droplets. The UK has a low incidence of TB, with roughly 4,500 cases reported each year. Workplace outbreaks are uncommon but require swift public health action. This incident occurs amid ongoing scrutiny of Amazon warehouse working conditions, including concerns over safety, hygiene, and worker density. The GMB union has used this outbreak as a lever in its broader campaign for improved labour standards at Amazon facilities.
The UKHSA’s rapid testing response is standard procedure for such incidents. The fact that all cases are latent TB and that affected individuals are no longer infectious means the immediate risk is contained. However, the disagreement between Amazon and the union over closure reflects the tension between operational continuity and precautionary worker protection.
What Have Official Sources Said?
We are taking this extremely seriously and are working closely with UKHSA to support their investigation and provide testing for colleagues.
— Amazon statement (via BBC)
The site should be temporarily closed to protect workers and prevent further spread.
— GMB Union press release
I’m concerned by reports of multiple cases of tuberculosis at Amazon’s Coventry fulfilment centre. Workers deserve answers and safety.
— Taiwo Owatemi MP (Facebook)
What Happens Next?
UKHSA will continue contact tracing and testing, with results potentially published in a formal outbreak report. Amazon may decide to implement enhanced ventilation and health screening, though it has not yet agreed to close the site. The GMB union is likely to use this incident in its ongoing campaigns for better worker safety. Further media coverage is expected as updates on testing outcomes or closure decisions emerge. Workers seeking more details can refer to the Amazon’s Coventry fulfilment centre TB outbreak report or the Amazon refuses to shut Coventry warehouse after TB outbreak article for ongoing coverage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a general TB outbreak in the UK?
No. TB incidence in the UK is low (around 4,500 cases per year). This is a localised workplace outbreak in Coventry, not a national outbreak.
Where can workers get more information about TB testing?
Affected workers should follow guidance from UKHSA and Amazon. The UKHSA website and NHS 111 provide general advice on TB testing.
What are the symptoms of TB?
Persistent cough (lasting more than three weeks), fever, night sweats, weight loss, and blood in sputum. Workers with these symptoms should seek medical advice.
Is the TB outbreak limited to this one warehouse?
Based on available sources, only the Amazon Coventry warehouse has been identified as the outbreak site. No other Amazon facilities have been reported.
How did the public learn about the outbreak?
The GMB union went public on January 16, 2026, prompting Amazon to confirm the outbreak the same day. Major news outlets, including BBC and The Guardian, reported the story.
What does “latent TB” mean?
Latent TB means the bacteria are present in the body but the person does not have symptoms and cannot spread the infection. It can become active if untreated.
Has Amazon closed any other warehouses due to health issues?
No. This is the first known instance where a union has publicly demanded closure over an infectious disease outbreak at an Amazon UK warehouse.
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