In 7 BBY, a toxic flesh-eating bacterium was accidentally released from an Imperial bacteriological research outpost in the capital city of Haxim's province on Falleen. It quickly spread, leading to riots in the city. To quell the dispersion of the bacterium, Darth Vader ordered for an orbital bombardment on the city, neutralizing the virus. 200,000 Falleen perished, but estimates stated billions more could have died if the bacterium had continued to spread.