Fox News anchor John Roberts is recovering in a Virginia hospital after being diagnosed with a severe case of malaria on Monday, August 25, 2025. The 68-year-old “America Reports” co-host revealed his diagnosis on social media Tuesday, explaining his absence from the weekday afternoon program.
Roberts announced on X that he had contracted the mosquito-borne illness, noting that his case was unusual for the region. Roberts indicated that he was “the only person in the hospital with malaria.” He added that one of his doctors said his case was the first they had ever encountered.
The veteran journalist described experiencing severe symptoms that initially appeared while he was on air. Roberts reported suffering from uncontrolled shivering during his show and experiencing pain throughout his entire body. He initially suspected the symptoms were muscle cramps or flu-like illness before seeking medical attention.
Roberts visited a rheumatologist who discovered that his platelet count and white blood cell levels were both dangerously low. The doctor immediately directed him to the emergency room, where he received the official malaria diagnosis. Roberts acknowledged feeling frightened by the diagnosis, recognizing that malaria can be fatal if left untreated.
The anchor believes he contracted the disease during a two-week vacation to Indonesia in late July and early August. He posted photographs from the trip on social media, including diving images and pictures of his son with local children. Roberts began experiencing symptoms approximately 10 days after returning home, which aligns with the typical incubation period for malaria.
Roberts reported that he does not recall being bitten by mosquitoes during his travels. Malaria is transmitted through bites from infected Anopheles mosquitoes and is endemic to tropical and subtropical regions including parts of Africa, South Asia, and South America.
The Centers for Disease Control reports approximately 2,000 cases of malaria are diagnosed annually in the United States, with most cases being travel-related. The disease was eliminated from the United States in 1951, though imported cases continue to occur among international travelers.
Roberts is currently receiving treatment with IV artesunate, which he described as a “big gun” medication used as the first-line treatment for severe malaria cases in the United States. The treatment targets the parasites that cause the disease and destroy red blood cells.
During his hospitalization at Inova Health, Roberts reported experiencing significant temperature fluctuations. He described having wild swings in body temperature occurring hourly, alternating between severe chills and sweating episodes. Roberts characterized August 27 as particularly difficult, stating he felt horrible throughout the day.
The anchor emphasized the severity of his illness, stating that he had never felt so sick in his life. He acknowledged uncertainty about the medical classification of his case but confirmed it felt severe from his perspective. Roberts expressed concern about the potentially deadly nature of untreated malaria.
Malaria symptoms typically appear seven to 30 days after infection and include fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Without prompt diagnosis and treatment with antimalarial drugs, the disease can rapidly become fatal. Even a 24-hour delay in treatment can increase mortality risk by one to five times.
Fox News colleague Trace Gallagher has been filling in as co-anchor alongside Sandra Smith on “America Reports” during Roberts’ absence. The program airs weekdays at 1 p.m. Roberts expressed gratitude to Gallagher for stepping in and to the medical staff at Inova Health for their care.
Roberts hoped to be discharged from the hospital soon and planned to return to work on Tuesday, September 2, following the Labor Day holiday. The Canadian-born journalist joined Fox News in 2011 after previous positions at CNN, CBS News, and various local television and radio stations. He previously experienced a heart condition in 2018 that was successfully treated by his medical team.
