Amazon Expands TB Screening for Workers at Coventry Warehouse Amid Outbreak Concerns
A growing number of Amazon workers in Coventry have tested positive for tuberculosis (TB), prompting the UK Health Security Agency to scale up screening efforts. The news comes as concerns grow about workplace infections and the potential risks faced by migrant workers.
According to reports, a small group of infected individuals were identified at the warehouse earlier this year, leading to a screening program initiated by the agency in September. So far, 10 employees have tested positive for latent TB, a form of the disease that is not contagious but can develop into active tuberculosis if left untreated.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has assured the public that the overall risk remains low, with most affected workers receiving treatment and no longer infectious. However, as a precautionary measure, Amazon is now offering additional testing to employees who may have had close contact with those infected.
Industry insiders are calling for more decisive action to address workplace safety concerns, particularly given the large number of migrant workers at the site. The GMB union has expressed alarm about the potential vulnerability of these workers due to vaccination status in their home countries.
TB is a treatable disease, but its spread through close contact with infected individuals highlights the need for robust infection control measures in the workplace. Amazon has acknowledged the situation and taken steps to inform employees, while also partnering with NHS staff to provide blood tests and other support services.
The growing number of TB cases across the country raises concerns about public health and the effectiveness of existing prevention strategies. In 2024, notifications of the disease rose by 13.6% to a total of 5,490 cases, with some areas experiencing an alarming rate of increase.
As tensions rise over workplace safety and infection control, Amazon's handling of the situation will be closely watched. With many workers already infected, the focus now shifts to preventing further spread of TB and protecting employees' health and wellbeing.
A growing number of Amazon workers in Coventry have tested positive for tuberculosis (TB), prompting the UK Health Security Agency to scale up screening efforts. The news comes as concerns grow about workplace infections and the potential risks faced by migrant workers.
According to reports, a small group of infected individuals were identified at the warehouse earlier this year, leading to a screening program initiated by the agency in September. So far, 10 employees have tested positive for latent TB, a form of the disease that is not contagious but can develop into active tuberculosis if left untreated.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has assured the public that the overall risk remains low, with most affected workers receiving treatment and no longer infectious. However, as a precautionary measure, Amazon is now offering additional testing to employees who may have had close contact with those infected.
Industry insiders are calling for more decisive action to address workplace safety concerns, particularly given the large number of migrant workers at the site. The GMB union has expressed alarm about the potential vulnerability of these workers due to vaccination status in their home countries.
TB is a treatable disease, but its spread through close contact with infected individuals highlights the need for robust infection control measures in the workplace. Amazon has acknowledged the situation and taken steps to inform employees, while also partnering with NHS staff to provide blood tests and other support services.
The growing number of TB cases across the country raises concerns about public health and the effectiveness of existing prevention strategies. In 2024, notifications of the disease rose by 13.6% to a total of 5,490 cases, with some areas experiencing an alarming rate of increase.
As tensions rise over workplace safety and infection control, Amazon's handling of the situation will be closely watched. With many workers already infected, the focus now shifts to preventing further spread of TB and protecting employees' health and wellbeing.