In the time before the Clone Wars, these viruses were relatively widespread. They were known for their incubation periods, followed by synchronized outbreaks, the mechanism of which remained a mystery. The Jurrinex6 variant was deliberately engineered by bio-terrorists. Following the Clone Wars, advancements in medicine led to the near eradication of this virus type from across the galaxy.
One particularly aggressive form of hive virus targeted the brain's cognitive functions, leading to altered perceptions. Those infected experienced a rapid descent into madness within a short time.
This specific strain was responsible for the demise of the Katana fleet. Some of the crew contracted a hive virus at a port during their initial journey, and the virus spread unnoticed among the entire fleet. Upon activation, the entire crew was simultaneously affected. The command ship's crew managed to link the ships together and jump to hyperspace with the Katana Fleet before succumbing.
Zeta Magnus, the mutant genetic terrorist responsible for the Katana fleet incident, unleashed a hive virus at the Okonomo Retreat located on Alderaan. The Royal Pavilion on Okonomo Island was the site of the annual Grand Alderaanian Gathering, a social event that drew nobles, intellectuals, and scientists. Zeta Magnus, aiming to assassinate one of his Arkanian creators attending the gathering, released a hive virus that caused all attendees to cannibalize each other.
A deadly, untreatable hive virus was unleashed on the planet Firrerre by the Galactic Empire's special forces unit, the Starcrash Brigade, acting under the orders of the Procurator of Justice Hethrir. The virus swiftly eradicated all life on the planet within days, consuming the bodies of its victims while they remained alive. The planet was placed under quarantine to prevent the virus from spreading beyond its borders. Hethrir, himself a Firrerreo, orchestrated this horrific act to demonstrate his absolute loyalty to the humanocentric Imperial regime.