Fox News Anchor John Roberts Battles Rare Case of Malaria
In a surprising health scare that has temporarily taken him off the air, Fox News anchor John Roberts is fighting through what he describes as the most severe illness of his life – malaria. The 68-year-old “America Reports” co-anchor shared his harrowing experience with People magazine, detailing a journey that began with what he initially mistook for muscle cramps or the flu but quickly escalated into something far more serious. “I had been hurting from the top of my head to the tip of my toes. Literally everywhere,” Roberts explained, describing the uncontrolled shivering that overtook him even while on air. When his symptoms persisted, his rheumatologist advised him to seek emergency care, a decision that likely proved crucial to his recovery prospects.
The hospital visit revealed troubling blood work results, with doctors noting both low platelets and white blood cell counts – classic indicators of the parasitic disease. The diagnosis came as a shock, even to Roberts himself, who responded with characteristic humor: “Of course you have malaria… You never do anything in small measures.” Yet beneath the joke lay genuine concern, as Roberts acknowledged, “I was a little scared. Malaria can be deadly if left unchecked.” Indeed, the severity of his case became immediately apparent, with the veteran journalist stating, “I don’t know exactly how ‘severe’ it was from a medical classification, but it sure felt severe. I have never felt that sick in my life.” The condition, as described by medical authorities like the Mayo Clinic, typically manifests a few weeks after a person is bitten by an infected mosquito, often cycling through attacks of shivering, high fever, and profuse sweating.
Roberts believes he contracted the disease during a July vacation to Indonesia, with symptoms beginning approximately ten days after his return to the United States. This timeline aligns with malaria’s typical incubation period, reinforcing the likelihood that a mosquito bite during his tropical getaway introduced the parasitic infection into his system. The diagnosis is particularly notable for its rarity in American hospitals, with Roberts sharing that one of his doctors confirmed he was the first case of malaria they had ever personally treated. “I can honestly say that I am the only person in the hospital with Malaria,” Roberts wrote on social media, highlighting just how uncommon the disease is in modern American healthcare settings.
The treatment protocol for Roberts has involved intravenous artesunate, a standard antimalarial medication, but recovery has proven to be a grueling process marked by extreme fluctuations in his condition. “Yesterday was a down day. I felt horrible all day,” he told People, describing the unpredictable nature of his symptoms. “I also have wild swings in temperature every hour. I’ll be shivering and shaking like a leaf… the next I’ll be sweating.” These dramatic shifts between chills and fever are classic manifestations of the parasitic infection as it disrupts normal body function, creating what medical professionals sometimes refer to as malarial “attacks” – cyclical episodes that can leave patients severely debilitated even as treatment progresses.
Despite the severity of his condition, Roberts remains optimistic about returning to his anchor chair after the Labor Day holiday on September 2nd. His temporary absence has been filled by colleague Trace Gallagher, who has stepped in to co-anchor “America Reports” alongside Sandra Smith while Roberts focuses on his recovery. The health scare has prompted an outpouring of support from colleagues and viewers alike, with many expressing surprise at seeing such a rare tropical disease affect a prominent American news figure. It also serves as a reminder of the potential health risks associated with international travel to regions where diseases uncommon in the United States remain prevalent.
Through social media, Roberts has expressed profound gratitude to both his substitute Gallagher and the healthcare team at Inova Health who are overseeing his treatment. “Thank you to Trace for jumping into the chair today!” he wrote on X (formerly Twitter), before acknowledging the medical professionals attending to his rare condition: “Thanks to the folks at @InovaHealth for their expertise and compassion…!” This appreciation underscores the challenges faced by healthcare providers when confronted with diseases they rarely encounter in domestic practice, highlighting the specialized knowledge required to identify and treat tropical ailments that occasionally make their way to American shores through returning travelers. As Roberts continues his recovery, his experience serves as a compelling reminder of both the wonders of modern medicine and the persistent global health challenges that can unexpectedly cross borders and affect lives.
