Malaysia Health & Safety

Although there are no immunizations required for visitors to Malaysia, travelers are advised that dengue fever is common, as are hepatitis A and B. Cases of dengue fever, a disease transmitted by mosquitoes, have been on the increase over the past few years. Risks of contacting malaria however are small, and cases are generally isolated to swampy inland regions.

Dysentery and diarrhea can be a problem for travelers, and these are usually the result of drinking impure water and eating improperly prepared foods. It is recommended that you drink only bottled water, eat only fully-cooked meats and fish, and peel all raw fruits and vegetables before eating them.

Smoky haze and other forms of air pollution are high in Malaysia, particularly in Kuala Lumpur, and can aggravate both cardiac and respiratory problems. Bird flu outbreaks have increased over the past few years, and although the risk is low for visitors, contact with all birds should be avoided. All poultry and egg dishes should be thoroughly cooked as well.

As with the rest of Southeast Asia, there is a concern about terrorist activity in Malaysia, particularly at places popular with western tourists. The eastern state of Sabah is one area that foreign visitors are warned away from, as the risk of kidnapping can be high. The coastal areas of eastern Sabah are especially popular with tourists on diving holidays. To minimize risk, visitors are advised to use larger resorts and established dive operators exclusively.