UKHSA also issued an update on the conditions of the individuals affected by the disease.
A number of TB cases have been confirmed at an Amazon warehouse (Image: Getty)
Amazon workers at a Coventry warehouse have been tested for tuberculosis after a handful of staff were found to have contracted the lung disease. Amazon said that 10 people at the site had tested positive for non-contagious TB in September, leading to a screening programme. A spokesperson added: “In line with best practice safety procedures, we immediately followed guidance from the NHS and UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and made all potentially affected employees aware of the situation.
“Out of an abundance of caution, we are currently running an expanded screening programme with the NHS.” Tuberculosis is an infection that usually affects the lungs.Symptoms include a cough, feeling tired or exhausted, a high temperature, loss of appetite, weight loss and feeling generally unwell.
Symptoms of TB include a cough, high temperature, loss of appetite and tiredness (Image: Getty)
Dr Roger Gajraj, a consultant in health protection with UKHSA West Midlands, said the overall risk remained low.
He added: “The small number of individuals affected by tuberculosis are responding well to treatment and are no longer infectious, so pose no onward risk.”
However, the GMB union called for the site to be temporarily closed. It said in a statement: “Multiple cases have been reported at the internet giant’s Coventry site, with NHS staff attended this week to perform blood tests on members of staff.”
GMB has written to Amazon bosses calling for all staff to be sent home and medically suspended on full pay while the situation is assessed and brought under control.
The union’s senior organiser Amanda Gearing added: “Amazon is putting all workers, site visitors, and the local and wider communities at risk of exposure to a serious infectious disease.
“Coventry Amazon risks becoming the engine room of a mass TB outbreak of a scale not seen for decades.
“Immediate and decisive action — including the temporary closure of Amazon Coventry — is required to prevent this.”
Symptoms include a cough, feeling tired or exhausted, a high temperature, loss of appetite, weight loss and feeling generally unwell.
