CLAY COUNTY, Fla. -- Clay County Health Department officials are urging all horse owners to be extra careful.

Three horses in the county have come down with Eastern quine encephalitis, or Triple E.

"It's prime weather for mosquitoes because of the standing water," said Brian Miller, director of Clay County Health Department.

And more mosquitoes means there's a greater chance for disease to spread. Miller said it's not just affecting horses. Even though there are no confirmed cases in the area, there is still a chance people could get the disease.

"A mosquito would have to bite an infected animal and then a human in order to pass the disease on," Miller said.

But he said there are ways to keep your family and your animals safe:

• Avoid going outdoors at dawn and dusk, when mosquitoes are most active.
• Wear clothes that cover most of your skin.
• Use bug repellants.
• And stop the bite before it starts by getting rid of standing water that mosquitoes can breed in.

Horse owner Katie Young said she's working hard to keep her horses safe.

"We keep fly spray on them and sometimes we even put netting blankets on them that they wear that keep them from being bitten by the mosquitoes, and try to keep no standing water around,” Yound said. “We're watching them all very closely for anything that might be amiss."

She said she keeps her animals up to date on their vaccinations and makes sure her family wears protective clothing and bug spray.

Health officials said although it is rare, the symptoms of EEE in people are much like the flu. It is most dangerous for the very young, the very old and those with weakened immune systems.

Officials said if you have these symptoms, you should see a doctor.