Parents should stick to chocolate bunnies, ducks and chicks for Easter, rather than live ones, to avoid bringing animal diseases into the house, Veterinarians have suggested.

The Wisconsin State Journal has reported that the animals, however cute they are, can carry bacteria, the Wisconsin Veterinary Medical Association has warned.

The association said, "Each spring, children become infected with Salmonella after receiving a baby chick or duckling for Easter."

Recent research has suggested rabbits can carry E. coli bacteria. The infection to the digestive tract can cause kidney failure and death in children, the U. S. Centers for Disease Control also warns.

Using rabbits, ducks and chicks as casual Easter gifts is unfair to the animals. They advised parents to think carefully about whether they or their children will be willing and able to care for them when they grow, the veterinary association said.

The association further said, "Many Easter pets are abandoned, taken to a shelter or released into the wild because the novelty feeling fades or they require more care than anticipated." (With Inputs from Agencies)