London: Amazon has confirmed a cluster of tuberculosis cases at its Coventry fulfilment centre in the United Kingdom, prompting precautionary health screening while operations at the site continue.
The company said 10 cases of non-contagious tuberculosis were identified in September and that it is working closely with the National Health Service and the UK Health Security Agency to monitor the situation. The warehouse employs nearly 3,000 people. A trade union had earlier raised concerns and urged authorities to consider a temporary closure, citing worker safety.
Amazon said no additional cases have been detected since the initial findings and stressed that all affected employees were promptly informed. Health officials have described the overall risk as low.
Disease linked to the Victorian era
Tuberculosis is a bacterial infection commonly referred to as a Victorian disease because of its widespread impact during the 19th century. While far less common today in high-income countries, it remains one of the world’s deadliest infectious illnesses.
The disease primarily affects the lungs, where it can cause long-lasting damage if left untreated. In some cases, tuberculosis spreads beyond the lungs to the abdomen, lymph nodes, bones, and the nervous system, leading to more complex and severe complications.
Symptoms vary
Common symptoms of tuberculosis include persistent fatigue, body pain, and difficulty breathing. When the nervous system is affected, patients may experience numbness, tingling sensations, muscle stiffness, loss of mobility, and, in severe cases, jaw locking or muscle spasms. These symptoms develop gradually, which can delay diagnosis if warning signs are overlooked.
Health experts note that tuberculosis is fully treatable with antibiotics when identified early, making timely testing and medical follow-up critical.
Global burden
According to the World Health Organisation, tuberculosis claimed more than 1.6 million lives worldwide in 2021, ranking it second only to COVID-19 among infectious diseases.
The UK Health Security Agency said screening is being offered to employees who may have had close contact with those affected at the Coventry site. Officials reiterated that the cases identified were non-contagious and that there is no evidence of ongoing transmission.
Amazon said it will continue to follow public health guidance as screening measures remain in place, adding that employee safety remains its priority.
