HARARE, March 6 (Xinhua) -- The government has banned the importation of cold meats - mainly from South Africa - following an outbreak of listeria in that country.

Listeriosis is poisoning caused by eating foods contaminated with the listeria monocytogenes bacterium. In pregnant women, the infection can result in miscarriage, premature delivery, serious infection of the newborn or even stillbirth.

Listeriosis affects mainly pregnant women, newborns, the elderly, and adults with impaired immune systems. Babies can be born with listeriosis if their mothers eat contaminated food during pregnancy.

High risk foods include ready to eat products such as polonies, ham, sausages, dairy products made from unpasteurized milk, soft cheeses and cold smoked fishery products.

A statement issued to The Herald Monday evening by the Secretary for Health and Child Care Gerald Gwinji said Zimbabwe had not yet recorded cases of listeria.

"What makes this outbreak significant for us is that we do import quite significant food items, particularly cold processed foods into Zimbabwe from South Africa," he said.

Gwinji added that authorities had tightened food surveillance at border posts where the banned products would be seized, quarantined and destroyed.

Zimbabwe joins other regional countries - Namibia, Botswana, Mozambique, Zambia, and Malawi - in banning cold meat products from South Africa.