YOUNG Disney fans are becoming ill after copying the heroine of a new cartoon film – and kissing a frog.
Health experts issued a warning ahead of the film, The Princess and the Frog, opening in Britain this week.
More than 50 children have been taken to hospital in the US suffering from salmonella poisioning after the fairytale hit screens there in December.
In the movie, the beautiful Princess Tiana kisses a frog, who turns out to be a prince. It opens here on Friday. Most of those infected in the US were girls aged under 10 and now medics are warning wannabe princesses in Britain not to take the risk with any pet or wild amphibians.
The experts’ message is: “Please do not kiss frogs.” Bill Keene, senior epidemiologist at the Oregon Public Health Division, said: “Don’t kiss the frog is maybe a good idea.”
The American Veterinary Medical Association and the Association of Reptilian and Amphibian Veterinarians want youngsters to separate animal fact from fiction.
They have issued a health warning advising exotic frog owners not to allow young children to handle their pets.
One expert said: “Princess Tiana washing her hands after every encounter with the frog probably would have taken away some of that Disney magic."
“But it would help any misguided frog owners keep their happily-ever-afters
