The virus gained a reputation for the painful and slow death that beings who became infected with it supposedly suffered, and due to its tendency to spread in large-scale epidemics when administrated efficiently. It was also feared for its ninety percent death rate. During development, ZO13 was responsible for the destruction of several small civilizations, and it almost resulted in the destruction of all life on Utapau shortly after the Battle of Endor. However, ZO13 did not become a regular Imperial weapon due to the Emperor's lack of interest in it and the Imperial High Command's worry that it could do more harm than good. Nonetheless, it was still used in warfare during the Yuuzhan Vong War, albeit on a limited scale.