The focus of this paper is on the review of current medical and academic research on Lassa fever with a view to grasping the latest extant knowledge of the nature, manifestations, epidemiology, aetiology, management and prevention of the disease. Health challenges are enormous and can cripple the socio economic and political life of a nation especially in developing countries like Nigeria that lacks the required experts, equipments, manpower and even money to combat such disease. However, this article emphasise on the depiction of the disease in the popular press as well as the theoretical bases, challenges, constraints and prospects of covering health threats particularly Lassa fever in the media. The paper shows the critical role of the press in creating awareness, setting the agenda, and framing of health issues. Thus, reducing the impact such epidemic outbreak will have on the socioeconomic life of the people.
Keywords: Lassa fever, Media Depiction, Medical Research, Nigeria, Socioeconomic Life
