Viewers were alarmed when Fox News anchor John Roberts, 68, suddenly began shaking uncontrollably on live television, his entire body visibly racked with chills.
What initially appeared to be a sudden illness turned out to be far more serious—and entirely unexpected.
On Monday, Roberts was rushed to the hospital after experiencing severe shivering during a broadcast, describing his body as aching “from the top of my head to the tip of my toes.”
Bloodwork revealed alarmingly low platelet and white blood cell counts, triggering an urgent cascade of diagnostic testing. The surprising result: an advanced case of malaria. “I was a little scared,” Roberts later told People magazine
People.com
Malaria—a parasitic illness transmitted by mosquito bites—is rare in the U.S. but can be deadly without prompt treatment. Roberts shared on social media that one of his doctors told him he was the first case they had ever encountered in their career
People.com
According to the Mayo Clinic, malaria often manifests with fever, intense chills, and debilitating aches—symptoms Roberts vividly experienced during his episode
People.com
The Sun
Conclusion:
John Roberts’s abrupt hospitalization shines a spotlight on how swiftly a rare illness like malaria can emerge—even in unfamiliar environments.
His diagnosis serves as a stark reminder of the importance of recognizing unusual symptoms and pursuing immediate medical care.
Beyond his personal ordeal, Roberts’s case highlights the lurking presence of mosquito-borne diseases—even among individuals living in regions where such illnesses are generally unheard of.