Fox News anchor John Roberts was hospitalized on Monday, August 25, 2025, after being diagnosed with a severe case of malaria following a family vacation to Indonesia. The 68-year-old co-host of “America Reports” experienced uncontrolled shivering during his television broadcasts before seeking medical treatment.
Roberts traveled to Indonesia in late July and early August for a two-week family trip. He posted photos on social media on August 11 showing himself diving, followed by pictures of his son with local children on August 12. Roberts returned home and resumed his hosting duties, appearing healthy initially.
Approximately 10 days after returning from his trip, Roberts began experiencing severe symptoms. He indicated he was hurting from head to toe and suffered from uncontrolled shivering while on air. Initially believing he had muscle cramps or influenza, Roberts’ condition rapidly deteriorated.
After visiting a rheumatologist who discovered his platelets and white blood cell counts were both low, Roberts was immediately directed to the emergency room. Blood work confirmed the malaria diagnosis, prompting his hospitalization at Inova Fairfax hospital in Virginia.
Roberts acknowledged his surprise at the diagnosis while expressing concern about the potentially fatal nature of the disease. “I have never felt that sick in my life,” he stated, describing the severity of his condition. He noted that his doctor indicated this was the first malaria case the physician had ever treated.
Malaria is a parasitic disease transmitted through bites from infected mosquitoes, most commonly contracted in tropical or subtropical regions. The Centers for Disease Control reports approximately 2,000 cases are diagnosed annually in the United States, with the majority being travel-related. Symptoms typically include fever, headache, chills, muscle aches, fatigue, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, appearing within one week to one month of exposure.
During his hospitalization, Roberts received treatment with IV artesunate, the first-line treatment for severe malaria in the United States. He described the medication as a powerful treatment for eliminating the parasites from his system. Roberts experienced significant temperature fluctuations throughout his recovery, alternating between severe chills and profuse sweating on an hourly basis.
Roberts posted updates on social media thanking Trace Gallagher for filling in during his absence from “America Reports.” He emphasized being the only malaria patient in the hospital and noted his doctor’s unfamiliarity with treating the disease. Roberts thanked the medical staff at Inova Health System for their expertise and compassionate care.
On Saturday, August 30, Roberts provided a health update indicating he planned to leave the hospital after spending five days and six nights there. He described his recovery progress, noting he had gone from being extremely ill to feeling ready to participate in Labor Day activities, though perhaps only as an observer rather than actively grilling.
Roberts expressed gratitude to his wife, ABC News correspondent Kyra Phillips, who located a global malaria expert in Malawi to provide guidance during his treatment. He also thanked pulmonologist Matt Williams and numerous hospital staff members, including nurses and technicians who assisted in his care, specifically mentioning one nurse who successfully established a new IV line when other veins were exhausted.
The veteran journalist, who joined Fox News in 2011 after previous roles at CNN and CBS News, initially hoped to return to work Tuesday, September 2. The Canadian-born anchor described malaria as an awful disease requiring aggressive treatment upon diagnosis. He warned others to stay away from the mosquitoes responsible for transmitting the infection.
Roberts emphasized the rapid progression of his illness and the importance of seeking immediate medical attention when symptoms develop. Though he could not recall being bitten by mosquitoes during his Indonesian vacation, medical professionals confirmed the travel-related nature of his infection. The anchor looked forward to returning to his broadcasting duties once fully recovered.