SYDNEY  - Australian soldiers and contractors in Iraq might have been exposed to blood-borne diseases such as HIV or hepatitis, as staff at Defense's main hospital unit in the Middle East failed to sterilize surgical equipment properly, local media reported on Tuesday.

Fairfax newspapers reported the safety breach occurred at the AL Minhad Air Base in the United Arab Emirates over a 19 month period, from February 2009 to August 2010, but soldiers were alerted to the problem only a week ago.

A Defense Department memo to troops has warned that soldiers and contractors who passed through the air base hospital near Dubai should ensure they had their blood screened, The Sydney Morning Herald reported.

"Personnel who underwent a surgical procedure during that period are possibly at risk of acquiring a blood-borne disease," the memo said.

However, the health alert says the risk to Australian Defense Force personnel is low, as blood-borne diseases within the force are rare and personnel are vaccinated against hepatitis.

The Defense Force's Surgeon-General, Major General Paul Alexander, wrote the "internal procedural issue" was dealt with by the health system and measures were put in place to prevent a repeat of the error.