Fox News star John Roberts announced he will be away from the news desk for the foreseeable future after announcing that he’s been diagnosed with an extremely rare disease.
In fact, his own doctor said Roberts’ diagnosis was unheard-of.
The “America Reports” host announced this week that he has been diagnosed with what is described as a “severe case of Malaria.”
Roberts revealed on social media that he “somehow came down” with the disease, which can be deadly “if not diagnosed and treated quickly,” according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
“I can honestly say that I am the only person in the hospital with Malaria,” the 68-year-old host posted on X.
Roberts added, “In fact, one of my doctors said I’m the first case he has ever seen.”
Thank you to Trace for jumping into the chair today!
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. In fact, one of my doctors said I’m the first case he has ever seen.
Thanks to the folks at… https://t.co/6ZHiB5Dv8v— John Roberts (@johnrobertsFox) August 26, 2025
Roberts continued by thanking fellow Fox colleague Trace Gallagher for “jumping into the chair” and sitting in for him alongside Sandra Smith on his weekday afternoon show “America Reports.”
Roberts joined Fox News in January 2011 as a national correspondent based in Atlanta.
He was the Fox News Chief White House Correspondent from 2017 to 2021, covering the Donald Trump presidency.
Roberts and Fox News did not give a timetable for Roberts’ return at the time of publication.
Malaria, which is spread by mosquitoes, was eliminated from the United States in 1951, according to the CDC.
However, despite Roberts’ doctor saying this was the first case he’s personally seen, the U.S. still reports around 2,000 malaria cases a year, with, on average, nearly seven deaths per year between 2007 and 2022.
In his post, Roberts praised his doctors and other healthcare staff, writing, “Thanks to the folks at @InovaHealth for their expertise and compassion…!”
Fans took to the comments to respond to Roberts’ news, with one X user writing, “Recover quickly and fully!!”
“Get well soon, John Roberts. I hope doctors are keeping you pain free. You’re the first person I know of that’s had malaria,” said another.
“Hope you recover quickly. And find the little culprit,” another added.
Another said, “Good grief! I hope you’re feeling better soon!”
“Bet that wasn’t on your 2025 Bingo card! Get well,” one fan added.
“Wow that’s no joke. Feel better and hope your recovery is smooth and steady,” another commenter wrote.
According to the Mayo Clinic, “People who have malaria usually feel very sick with a high fever and shaking chills. While the disease is uncommon in temperate climates, malaria is still common in tropical and subtropical countries. Each year nearly 290 million people are infected with malaria, and more than 400,000 people die of the disease.”