Fox News anchor John Roberts is recovering in the hospital after being diagnosed with a severe case of malaria.
Initially believing the illness might be the flu, he sought medical care after bloodwork showed low platelet and white blood cell counts. He was later diagnosed with malaria, a mosquito-borne parasitic disease more commonly found in tropical and subtropical regions.
The anchor believes he contracted the illness earlier this month while vacationing in Indonesia. Symptoms of malaria typically appear one to four weeks after exposure and can include fever, chills, muscle aches, fatigue, and nausea.
Roberts said he has been receiving treatment with intravenous artesunate, the standard therapy for severe cases in the United States. While describing his recovery as “up and down,” he noted that the illness left him feeling sicker than ever. Malaria, if left untreated, can be life-threatening.
On Tuesday, the veteran journalist publicly confirmed his condition on X, thanking his colleague Trace Gallagher for filling in on “America Reports.”
“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 co-anchors “America Reports” alongside Sandra Smith, a role he has held since 2021. He joined Fox News in 2011 as a senior national correspondent after working at CNN and CBS News.
During his time with the network, he served as chief White House correspondent, covering the Trump administration, multiple presidential elections, and major international summits. He has also reported from conflict zones and natural disasters around the world.
Born in Toronto, Roberts began his career in Canadian broadcasting before moving to U.S. networks. His decades-long career in journalism has earned him multiple national Emmy Awards and other honors for coverage of events such as the 1997 death of Princess Diana and the 1996 Atlanta Olympics bombing.
Roberts expressed hope to resume work on Sept. 2 following his discharge from the hospital.