Despite the horse flu crisis, the Australian Outback Spectacular on the country’s Gold Coast has been allowed to continue its nightly performances.

Despite the horseracing industry having been shut down by the Department of Primary Industries (DPI), the DPI has allowed the Outback Spectacular to continue with its themed entertainment show featuring 30 horses and stunt riders.

A report by couriermail.com.au quoted a DPI spokesperson as saying: "The horses used in the show are contained on the property and the operators have employed a vet who has developed a whole raft of bio-security measures.

"The public are being kept well away from the horses and staff are obviously going through the proper decontamination routine."

Equine influenza does not pose a threat to humans, but it can be spread from people to horses via infected clothing.