A Calgary mother with two children who became ill with E. coli says the health region's decision to get help from the federal government about the unusually high number of cases this summer is too little too late.

Since the beginning of June, 58 people have become sick. Among the 11 who had to be hospitalized was Tanya Maksymic's 17-month-old, who ended up with potentially deadly kidney complications due to E.coli 0157.

"It was absolutely horrific. I've never been so scared in my life."

Maksymic says the health region has been unable to pinpoint the source of her girls' illness.

Health region calls in health agency

While the number of cases is starting to taper off, the Calgary Health Region has called in reinforcements.

The overall investigation has become so difficult, the health region requested help from the Public Health Agency of Canada, and a field epidemiologist arrived last week.

The agency only conducts these kinds of investigations 15 times a year across the country.

"I'm glad they're bringing in someone, but I think it's too little too late," says Maksymic. "We're over a month and a half now and I'm not sure they'll ever get to the bottom of it, and it's kind of a shame."

Dr. Richard Musto, a medical director with the Calgary Health Region, said there are generally more E. coli cases in the summer because more people barbeque hamburger.

The Public Health Agency of Canada is only contacted if "there's something unusual about a situation, or the numbers are getting larger and it's hard for us to keep up with it."

Even with help from the agency, Musto said, he doesn't expect they'll pin down the source.

Type of bacteria

E. coli, short for Escherichia coli, is a type of bacteria commonly found in the intestines of animals and humans.

While E. coli is most often found in meat, it is not limited to it. The bacteria are also found in unpasteurized milk and apple cider, ham, turkey, chicken, roast beef, sandwich meats, raw vegetables, cheese and contaminated water.

Symptoms — characterized by severe abdominal cramping — can appear within hours, but could also take up to 10 days to show up. Some people may also be afflicted with bloody diarrhea or non-bloody diarrhea. Frequently, no fever is present.

Some people may show no symptoms at all, but can still carry bacteria and pass them on to others.