Fox News anchor John Roberts was hospitalized on August 25 due to a severe case of malaria, according to reports. The 68-year-old host described experiencing “uncontrolled shivering” during his show, detailing physical symptoms that began after returning from a July vacation in Indonesia. Roberts told PEOPLE he initially mistook his condition for muscle cramps but later recognized the severity when shivering persisted. “I somehow came down with a severe case of Malaria. I can honestly say that I am the only person in the hospital with Malaria,” he wrote on X, adding that one of his doctors confirmed it was their first such case.
Roberts revealed his illness began 10 days after returning home and noted his blood work showed low platelets and white blood cells, prompting a visit to the emergency room. He described feeling “horrible” during treatment, with symptoms including chills, fever, and extreme fatigue. Currently receiving IV artesunate, Roberts expressed uncertainty about the medical classification of his case but emphasized its intensity: “I have never felt that sick in my life.”
Malaria, caused by a parasite transmitted through mosquito bites, typically presents with cycles of shivering, fever, and sweating. The disease is rare in the U.S., with approximately 2,000 annual cases linked to travel abroad. Roberts, co-anchor of America Reports, hopes to return to work by Labor Day but prioritizes recovery.