Fox News’ John Roberts Hospitalized with ‘Severe’ Malaria
Veteran Fox News anchor John Roberts is recovering after being hospitalized with a serious case of malaria, a potentially deadly disease spread by mosquitoes.
Roberts, 68, spoke with People Magazine about the frightening diagnosis, describing how the illness came on suddenly and with alarming intensity.
“I had been hurting from the top of my head to the tip of my toes. Literally everywhere. I was also beset with uncontrolled shivering all during my show,” Roberts recalled. “Initially, I thought it was just muscle cramps and aches. But when I started shivering, I started to lean toward the flu.”
His condition quickly worsened. Bloodwork revealed dangerously low platelets and white blood cells. “My rheumatologist told me to go to the ER,” he said.
Doctors at the hospital soon confirmed malaria. “I thought, ‘Of course you have malaria… You never do anything in small measures.’ But I was a little scared,” Roberts admitted. “Malaria can be deadly if left unchecked. I have never felt that sick in my life.”
Roberts believes he contracted the disease during a recent two-week vacation in Indonesia. He returned in early August but didn’t feel symptoms until about 10 days later.
Malaria is common in tropical and subtropical regions and is known for triggering fevers, headaches, chills, body aches, and extreme fatigue. In serious cases, complications can be life-threatening.
Roberts was treated with IV artesunate, the U.S. standard for severe malaria cases. “Yesterday [Aug. 27] was a down day,” he admitted. “I felt horrible all day. I also have wild swings in temperature every hour. I’ll be shivering and shaking like a leaf… the next I’ll be sweating.”
Despite the ordeal, Roberts is expected to return to his Fox News program, America Reports, on Tuesday, September 2. In his first post on X (formerly Twitter), he thanked colleague Trace Gallagher for stepping in as co-anchor alongside Sandra Smith.
“I somehow came down with a severe case of Malaria,” Roberts wrote. “I can honestly say that I am the only person in the hospital with Malaria. In fact, one of my doctors said I’m the first case he has ever seen. Thanks to the folks at @InovaHealth for their expertise and compassion…!”
Roberts’ story prompted Dr. Jeffrey Horelick to share his own battle with malaria decades ago. “I am no stranger to malaria myself, specifically Plasmodium falciparum, the deadliest strain, notorious for causing severe complications like cerebral malaria, organ failure, and high mortality rates,” Horelick wrote.
He described a grueling 1988 fight with the disease after a trip through East Africa, recalling seizures, a coma, and a month-long recovery. “If I could survive that ordeal, I’m confident Roberts can pull through too. Sending prayers for his swift recovery,” Horelick concluded.
Roberts’ ordeal is a sobering reminder that while rare in the United States, malaria remains a deadly global threat — and one that even seasoned journalists can’t escape.