Tourists need to be cautious about viral and other diseases such as dengue fever, hepatitis, malaria and rabies. Urban areas are especially prone to dengue fever that is transmitted mainly during the day by the Aedes aegypti mosquito. With no availability of a vaccine for it, precaution is the best way to fight it. It is also ideal to get a medical insurance when travelling to Malaysia.

The healthcare services in Malaysia are quite advanced and most private hospitals are well equipped.

Like most other nations, Malaysia also suffers threats from terrorism. Some of the eastern states in the country like Sabah are not considered too safe for visitors as there are frequent incidents of kidnapping etc.

It is always better to move around in groups as problems of bag snatching, pick-pocketing are quite common. Tourists need to be very careful while driving as there are reckless motorcyclists in the larger cities.