Stephens 2002).

Eastern chipmunk females breed once or twice a year in the spring and/or summer. The female will stay in heat for a short time during which the male will extensively guard the female from other males looking to mate. Litter size averages between four and five individuals, with the young emerging at five to seven weeks old at which time they are able to become independent from their parents. Most juveniles disperse to a new residence within two weeks of first emergence. Individuals usually become sexually mature after their first winter (Snyder 1982, Yahner 1978).

Habitat and Distribution

The Eastern chipmunk inhabits deciduous forests and hardwood or mixed hardwood-pine forests from the southeastern U.S. to the Great Plains, and north to southeast Canada (Florida Natural Areas Inventory 2001). Thisand that the guidance so urged may require legal change.

Recommendations of the Panel
 Prompt introduction of a Maternity Early Warning Scoring Systems Chart for patients with pregnancy complications in gynaecology wards.  This should be followed by a compliance audit.  The chart should indicate a monitoring coupled with an escalating nursing, medical and multidisciplinary response. 
 Introduction of mandatory induction and education on early recognition, monitoring and management of infection and sepsis.  This includes severe sepsis and septic shock.
 Development and implementation of national guidelines relating to infection and pregnancy, in addition to multidisciplinary educational programmes to improve care in such cases.  In particular, there needs to be audited compliance with guidelines on management of infection, sepsis, and suspected sepsis in cases of inevitable miscarriage