The Butte County California Public Health Department (BCPHD), announced today the number of identified E. coli O157:H7 cases has grown to 24 and more are probable as the investigation into the outbreak continues.

Four have been hospitalized.  Six-year-old Olivia Geiger-Titus has developed Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome.  She along with 23 other contracted E. coli poisoning at a fundraiser for volunteer firefighters in Forest Ranch. Olivia, who is a first grade student at Forest Ranch Charter School, has been closely monitored by doctors at U.C. Davis Medical Center in Sacramento.  She was taken there by helicopter last Thursday from Enloe Hospital in Chico.   On Monday, Olivia underwent a four-hour blood transfusion in an effort to get her kidneys functioning properly again.  Her grandmother says Olivia is too weak to hold a crayon or lift her head.   All from eating a E. coli-tainted Tri-tip.