eli5 if everyone with a certain disease died, would that disease cease to exist?

Question

Say influenza, if tomorrow, everyone with influenza spontaneously died, would the disease cease to exist?

In: 6

Answer 1

It depends on if the bacteria or virus can infect other animals, then all those animals have to be killed too. Bacteria can protect themselves in the form of spores like seeds that will remain dormant pretty much indefinitely until conditions are correct.