Fox News anchor John Roberts has been hospitalized due to a rare vector-borne disease, as reported by an exclusive from People Magazine.
What’s happening?
The 68-year-old Roberts will likely be off the air for some time. He co-hosts “America Reports” and had recently returned from a two-week family trip to Indonesia. On August 11, he shared a diving photo on social media, then posted another of his son enjoying time with local children the next day.
Upon returning, he seemed fine and resumed his hosting role. However, it wasn’t long before he started feeling unwell and experienced noticeable “shivering” while on air.
By August 25, he sought medical attention and was diagnosed with malaria, a disease transmitted by mosquitoes that is quite rare in the U.S. The CDC notes that about 2,000 cases are diagnosed annually, mostly in travelers.
Roberts described how quickly his symptoms escalated after returning, noting he was in pain and shaking constantly during broadcasts. Although he suspected he had the flu, he was later sent to the emergency room when his situation worsened.
“I really can’t say how severe it was medically, but it felt severe to me. I have never felt that sick in my life,” he reflected.
On August 26, he expressed gratitude to his colleague Trace Gallagher for covering his shift, mentioning that his case was the first of its kind his doctor had encountered.
Why is this concerning?
Malaria is mainly spread through the bites of infected mosquitoes. While it’s mostly associated with travel in the U.S., it remains widespread in tropical and subtropical regions. Fox News is primarily broadcast from Manhattan, which, traditionally, has a climate characterized by hot summers and cold winters.
However, as noted in a 2020 report, rising temperatures—largely due to human activity—are shifting New York City’s climate toward a more subtropical environment, according to a National Climate Assessment.
In 2023, the Gates Foundation warned that global warming is extending the malaria transmission season and changing the epidemiology of the disease. The United Nations Development Program also cautioned that rising temperatures are intensifying the spread of malaria, linking it to disasters like mass flooding in Pakistan in 2022 that created stagnant water—ideal for breeding mosquitoes.
What’s being done about it?
Recently, three lawmakers introduced a bipartisan bill aimed at addressing the rise of various vector-borne illnesses transmitted by ticks. The Gates Foundation has urged governments to prioritize climate mitigation efforts and stresses the urgent need for action toward eradication.
