Amazon has confirmed several cases of a rare disease at one of its largest UK warehouses in Coventry. The online retail giant said that ten employees tested positive for latent tuberculosis (TB) in September. The Coventry facility employs over 3,000 staff, including around 700 members of the GMB union. Unlike active TB, latent tuberculosis is not contagious. NHS staff were called to the site this week to conduct blood tests, but no further cases have been found. Amazon confirmed that a “screening programme” is ongoing as a precaution.
A spokesperson for Amazon said the company immediately followed guidance from the NHS and UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA). “We made all potentially affected employees aware of the situation and are following expert guidance,” the statement read. The company urged public organisations to communicate responsibly about public health matters.
Despite these reassurances, the GMB union has called for the immediate temporary closure of the Coventry warehouse. The union demands that all 3,000 staff be sent home on full pay until infection control measures are fully assessed.
Political Pressure Mounts
Zarah Sultana, MP for Coventry South, criticised Amazon for not closing the facility despite multiple TB cases. She described the decision as “outrageous” and accused the company of treating workers as disposable. “With multiple confirmed cases on site, the warehouse must be shut down immediately, and workers sent home on full pay. This is a stark reminder of why the trade union movement was founded,” she said.
ALSO READ: Trump Announces 10% Tariffs On Denmark, UK And France After Opposition To US Greenland Takeover Plan
What Are Victorian Diseases?
In the UK, “Victorian diseases” refer to illnesses that were widespread during the 19th century and have resurfaced due to poverty and limited access to healthcare. These include tuberculosis, cholera, scarlet fever, and scurvy. Many are linked to poor sanitation and nutrition. Tuberculosis, once known as “consumption,” has seen a rise in latent and active cases in recent years.
Another disease associated with poor conditions is scabies, a skin infestation caused by mites called Sarcoptes scabiei. It produces intense itching, rashes, and burrows in the skin. Scabies spreads through prolonged skin contact or indirectly via contaminated clothing, bedding, or towels. Crowded workplaces, childcare centres, and nursing homes are common sites for outbreaks.
Symptoms And Warning Signs
Common symptoms include fierce itching, rashes, burrows, and sores caused by scratching. Rashes often appear in warm or folded areas of the skin, such as between fingers and toes, wrists, and the waistline. In young children, it can spread to the face, head, and neck.