Dengue cases continue to rise with alarming death rates due to an apparent deadlier strain of this Aedes mosquito-borne virus. Abroad, the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome has ignited a scare in Korea; infected travellers spread the disease to China and Thailand from Korea and Middle East countries. Effective surveillance network and public education are needed to stem both dengue and MERS. Is Malaysia up to the task? Infectious disease experts from the Ministry of Health explain.