Bone marrow transplant for boy, 6

Rhys's family was told he would live only months without a transplant

A six-year-old boy who cannot fight off infection has received a bone marrow transplant from a donor in the United States.

Rhys Harris, of Newbridge, Caerphilly county, is one of only about 40 people in the world with Nemo, a genetic disease crippling his immune system.

It will take a few weeks for doctors to gauge how successful Friday's transplant has been.

His family said he was "fine" and he had been playing computer games.

Rhys, his parents and younger brother moved from Newbridge to Newcastle, where the treatment took place, after a worldwide search for a donor.

One, though not a perfect match, was eventually found in the US.

Rhys will need to remain in isolation for up to nine months

The donated bone marrow was flown from America on Friday morning before the transplant took place shortly after.

The youngster's immune system had to be destroyed by chemotherapy before the bone marrow transplant could take place.

Rhys, who is deaf following a bout of meningitis, will have to live in a special germ-free room for nine months following the treatment.

His parents, Kevin and Dawn Harris, were thrilled when they were told a match had been found.

Without the treatment, the couple had been told Rhys would survive for only months.