Statement
“Oregon Health & Science University is dedicated to improving the health and well-being of people in Oregon and beyond. Biomedical research conducted in relevant animal models at OHSU has led to new ways to identify, prevent and treat disease, and improve human and animal health.
“OHSU understands the profound responsibility that comes with using animals, including nonhuman primates, in biomedical research. As such, the Oregon National Primate Research Center at OHSU employs hundreds of dedicated veterinary and animal care staff committed to providing humane, respectful care and the best possible veterinary medicine for nearly 5,000 nonhuman primates.
“When there is a serious event involving any animal in our care, it is immediately reported to the university’s Research Integrity Office, who investigates and reports it to OHSU’s Institutional Official and Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee, who then ensures appropriate measures are taken to prevent a recurrence.
“OHSU also proactively reports any serious event to the United States Department of Agriculture and the NIH’s Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare, whose highly trained veterinary staff thoroughly review OHSU’s mitigation response to determine whether it is complete and appropriate, thereby ensuring that OHSU has done everything possible to minimize the possibility of it happening again. OHSU posts all USDA inspection reports on our public website as soon as they are available: West Campus; Marquam Hill and South Waterfront campuses.
Background
On Aug. 31, 2025, two rhesus macaques receiving anti-inflammatory medication for a skin disorder that spontaneously occurs in nonhuman primates inadvertently stopped receiving treatment without a plan for tapering off therapy. This occurred because the medication was not extended during a routine case review of the two animals on Aug. 27.
On Sept. 4, 2025, animal care staff reported one of the macaques for lethargy and reduced appetite. These symptoms were promptly reported to veterinary staff, who, following a thorough evaluation, made the decision to humanely euthanize the animal. Laboratory testing and necropsy examination were performed, but no conclusive evidence was found linking the animal’s illness to the cessation of therapy.
Medication for the second macaque was restarted without further incident.
Immediately following the event, the Oregon National Primate Research Center team took action to prevent a recurrence, and following a root-cause analysis, implemented automated systems to alert staff when a medication must be reviewed or refilled. They also provided refresher training to veterinary staff and health technicians to review the circumstances that led to the unintentional discontinuation of treatment, as well as the process updates to the electronic health care record system and automated reports.
In accordance with our standard protocols and processes, OHSU proactively notified the NIH’s Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare, or OLAW, of the event and our mitigation, and OLAW responded as follows: “OHSU has implemented appropriate measures to correct and prevent recurrences of these problems and is now compliant with provisions of the PHS [Public Health Service Policy}. We appreciate being informed of these matters and find no cause for further action by this Office.”
OHSU also proactively notified the United States Department of Agriculture.