A major Amazon fulfilment centre in Coventry is at the centre of a health scare after the company confirmed an outbreak of tuberculosis, a disease historically associated with the Victorian era.
Union Calls for Immediate Shutdown
The GMB union has taken the drastic step of calling for the immediate closure of the warehouse following the confirmation of multiple cases of the infectious disease. This demand underscores the serious concerns for worker safety at the site.
Reports indicate that employees at the facility are deeply concerned and have threatened to stage a walkout in protest over the handling of the situation. The discovery of the outbreak has created significant tension within the workplace.
Details of the Outbreak
The news was broken on 19 January 2026, with the GMB union leading the calls for action. Tuberculosis (TB), while now treatable with antibiotics, remains a serious bacterial infection that primarily affects the lungs and can be fatal if not properly addressed.
Its historical nickname, the 'Victorian disease', stems from its prevalence in the crowded and unsanitary urban conditions of the 19th century. The confirmation of cases in a modern workplace like an Amazon warehouse has raised immediate alarms about health protocols and working conditions.
Ongoing Situation and Worker Safety
As a breaking news story, the full scale of the outbreak and Amazon's detailed response plan are still emerging. The primary focus is now on containing the spread, testing potentially exposed staff, and implementing deep-cleaning procedures at the vast Coventry site.
The threat of industrial action by workers highlights the urgency with which they expect the company to respond. The situation presents a significant challenge for Amazon, balancing operational continuity with its duty of care to thousands of employees at one of its UK logistics hubs.
