Transplant boy progressing well

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Rhys Harris was diagnosed with an incurable genetic disease called Nemo when aged three

Doctors treating a seven-year-old boy with a rare genetic illness say they are pleased with his progress.

The future looked bleak for Rhys Harris of Newbridge, south Wales, after he was diagnosed with an incurable genetic disease called Nemo when aged three.

He lived in isolation in a sterile bubble with parents Kevin and Dawn banned from hugging or kissing him.

Doctors in Newcastle gave him a new immune system and say there is now no trace of the faulty gene.

The disease, of which there have been only 40 diagnosed cases since 2001, crippled his immune system leading, in his case, to the contraction of an incurable form of TB.

Experts at Newcastle General Hospital, a centre of excellence in the field, gave Rhys only a less than one in three chance of survival.

Mario Abinun, consultant paediatric immunologist at Newcastle General Hospital, who oversaw the treatment, said: "As we speak, his new immune system should be working and getting stronger.

"He has already gotten over a few hurdles and all the indicators and laboratory reports show he is doing fine.

"But we will have to wait to some time in the autumn before we can give him a clean bill of health."

Worldwide search

He said Rhys's parents have been constantly at his side, even during the period of enforced sterile isolation.

Kevin and Dawn Harris temporarily moved from south Wales to Newcastle, where their other son now attends school.

"I understand they plan to stay here in Newcastle until the end of the school term before returning to Wales," Dr Abinun added.

Nothing would have been possible without the worldwide search for a bone marrow donor for Rhys which ultimately found a match in the United States.

Before Rhys could undergo the transplant, doctors had to kill his own marrow using chemotherapy.

The successful transplant was followed by two months of sterile isolation as Rhys recovered and his new immune system began to establish itself.

For much of that time, his parents oversaw his daily care, donning face masks for their son's protection, scrubbing up and dressing like surgeons.

Their reward came last week when the family finally received the news that there is no trace of the faulty gene in Rhys's new immune system.

The family had previously already enjoyed a day trip to the seaside from the hospital.