( CNN ) -- Investigators said Thursday they found the fungus Exserohilum in one medicine lot from the compounding pharmacy at the center of a meningitis outbreak that has killed 21 people , the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced . The presence of Exserohilum was found in `` unopened medication vials , '' which were tested at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , according to the FDA . The discovery links the fungus to the Massachusetts-based New England Compounding Center , the FDA said . What is a compounding pharmacy ? The CDC said Exserohilum had been found in 45 patients . The fungus can be difficult to find , meaning a patient with a negative test is still not in the clear . Symptoms from Exserohilum also can take a long time to develop . The CDC updated Friday the number of people known to have contracted noncontagious fungal meningitis from steroid injections . The number of cases has grown to 271 . Three of the cases are a `` peripheral joint infection '' that specifically affects a joint such as a knee , hip , shoulder or elbow , officials said . Sixteen states have been affected , including New York , which was added to the CDC 's list Thursday . Meningitis is an inflammation of the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord . It is usually caused by an infection , frequently with bacteria or a virus , but it can also be caused by less common pathogens , such as fungi in this case , according to the CDC . Fungal meningitis is very rare and , unlike viral and bacterial meningitis , is not contagious . Deadly outbreak was completely avoidable . Criminal investigators visit Massachusetts facility . FDA warns patients to be 'vigilant ' about drugs from compounding center . Wife 'heartbroken ' at death blamed on meningitis .
The fungus has been found in 45 patients , CDC says . Agency says one more person has died from a noncontagious form of meningitis . Number of cases grows to 271 in 16 states .