Amazon has confirmed a tuberculosis outbreak at its Coventry fulfilment centre, now described as an Amazon warehouse disease outbreak, after 10 employees tested positive for the illness, prompting NHS intervention and oversight by the UK Health Security Agency. The cases were first identified in September 2025 and have been officially classified as non-contagious latent TB. Health authorities say all affected individuals are receiving appropriate medical treatment and are no longer infectious. An expanded NHS screening programme is continuing at the site as a precautionary measure, while the warehouse remains fully operational. The situation has been reported by The WP Times, citing information from the BBC, The Guardian and official statements from Amazon.
What Amazon has confirmed
Amazon has confirmed that 10 employees at its Coventry fulfilment centre were diagnosed with tuberculosis in September 2025. The company said the cases were identified through routine health monitoring and that immediate action was taken in cooperation with national health authorities. In a formal statement issued after the situation became public, Amazon said:
“In line with best practice safety procedures, we immediately followed guidance from the NHS and UK Health Security Agency and made all potentially affected employees aware of the situation.”
(Amazon spokesperson, official company statement)
The company further explained the precautionary steps being taken:
“Out of an abundance of caution, we are currently running an expanded screening programme with the NHS.”
(Amazon spokesperson, official company statement)
Amazon emphasised that no new cases have been detected since the original diagnoses in September 2025 and that daily operations at the Coventry warehouse have continued without interruption. The company also confirmed that the diagnosed cases were classified as latent, non-contagious TB, meaning they do not pose a transmission risk to other employees.
Assessment from health authorities
Medical experts from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) have provided reassurance that the situation does not present a broader public health threat. Dr Roger Gajraj, consultant in health protection with UKHSA West Midlands, said:
“The small number of individuals affected by tuberculosis are responding well to treatment and are no longer infectious, so pose no onward risk.”
(Dr Roger Gajraj, UKHSA West Midlands, official statement to media)
He added that precautionary measures were being taken to identify any potential close contacts:
“As a precaution, and in line with national guidance, we are offering testing to those who may have had closer contact with the affected individuals. The overall risk remains low.”
(Dr Roger Gajraj, UKHSA West Midlands)
The UKHSA confirmed that it continues to work directly with Amazon to monitor the situation and to ensure that all necessary health procedures and safeguards remain in place.
Confirmed timeline of events
- September 2025 – Tuberculosis cases first identified among employees at the Coventry fulfilment centre
- September 2025 – NHS and UKHSA begin a formal screening and contact-tracing programme
- Late 2025 – Ten workers confirmed with latent TB following medical testing
- Week of 13 January 2026 – NHS clinical teams attend the warehouse to conduct blood tests
- 16 January 2026 – Amazon publicly confirms details of the outbreak
- January 2026 – Expanded screening programme continues under NHS supervision
About the Coventry fulfilment centre
The Coventry facility is one of Amazon’s largest logistics hubs in the United Kingdom and plays a key role in national distribution.
- Location: Coventry, West Midlands
- Estimated workforce: 2,000–3,000 employees
- Function: large-scale distribution and fulfilment operations
- Operational status: fully open and active
- Health oversight: NHS and UK Health Security Agency
Reaffirming the company’s position, an Amazon spokesperson said: “Nothing is more important than the safety and wellbeing of our team members.” (Amazon spokesperson, statement on workplace safety)
Union response
The GMB Union, which represents workers at the site, has raised concerns about Amazon’s decision to keep the warehouse open while screening is ongoing. In a statement released to the media, the union said: “Multiple cases have been reported at the internet giant’s Coventry site, with NHS staff attending this week to perform blood tests on members of staff.” (GMB Union, official public statement)
Amanda Gearing, GMB senior organiser for the region, called for stronger action: “Immediate and decisive action, including the temporary closure of Amazon Coventry, is required.” (Amanda Gearing, GMB senior organiser)
She added that workers should be: “Sent home, medically suspended on full pay until appropriate infection control measures are implemented.” (Amanda Gearing, GMB Union statement)
Political reaction
The situation has also drawn criticism from local political representatives. Zarah Sultana, Labour MP for Coventry South, criticised Amazon’s approach, saying: “With multiple confirmed cases on site, the warehouse must be shut down immediately and workers sent home on full pay.” (Zarah Sultana MP, public statement)
She described the decision to keep the site open as: “Outrageous.” (Zarah Sultana MP)
What tuberculosis is
Tuberculosis is a bacterial infection that primarily affects the lungs. It is treatable with antibiotics and can be cured when diagnosed early. There are two main forms of the disease:
- Active TB – contagious and symptomatic
- Latent TB – present in the body but not contagious
Amazon and UKHSA have both confirmed that all identified cases at the Coventry site were latent TB, which cannot be transmitted to others.
Symptoms of active TB may include:
- A cough lasting more than three weeks
- Coughing up mucus or blood
- High temperature
- Night sweats
- Loss of appetite
- Unexplained weight loss
- Persistent tiredness
Latent TB, by contrast, produces no symptoms and can only be detected through specific medical testing.
Wider national context
The Coventry incident comes amid a notable rise in tuberculosis cases across England. Official UKHSA data show:
- 5,490 TB cases in England in 2024
- 4,831 cases in 2023
- An increase of 13.6 per cent year on year
The current national notification rate is 9.4 cases per 100,000 people, approaching the World Health Organization threshold of 10 per 100,000 that defines a low-incidence country.
Public health guidance
Coventry City Council has issued clear advice to local residents and workers, stating:
“TB testing and treatment is free to everyone on the NHS, regardless of immigration status. Anyone experiencing symptoms should contact their GP or NHS 111 without delay.”
(Coventry City Council public health advisory)
Health officials continue to emphasise that tuberculosis is treatable and that early detection is critical.
Current confirmed status
As of January 2026, the situation at Amazon’s Coventry fulfilment centre has been clearly established by health authorities and the company. Ten employees have been diagnosed with latent tuberculosis, and all are receiving appropriate medical treatment. No additional cases have been identified since the original diagnoses in September 2025. An NHS screening and monitoring programme remains in place as a precaution, and the warehouse continues to operate without disruption. The UK Health Security Agency has confirmed that the overall public health risk is assessed as low.
Key figures
- Confirmed TB cases: 10
- Type of TB: latent and non-contagious
- Workforce at Coventry site: approximately 2,000–3,000 employees
- Date cases first identified: September 2025
- Date publicly confirmed: January 2026
- TB cases in England in 2024: 5,490
- Increase from 2023: 13.6 per cent
Health authorities continue to monitor the situation, but all available evidence indicates that the Amazon warehouse disease outbreak has been contained. Screening remains in place as a precaution, and no wider public health risk has been identified.
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