'Bubble' boy Rhys given all clear

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An eight-year-old boy who had been close to death due to a rare genetic disease has been given the all clear.

Rhys Harris, from Newbridge, Caerphilly county, had spent time living in isolation in a sterile bubble.

But he has made steady progress since a bone marrow transplant in 2007 to replace his faulty immune system.

His father Kevin said doctors had told him the latest blood test results showed that Rhys' immune system was now working independently.

"I got the email last night - it was a feeling of relief," he said.

"I kind of started to write the doctor a quick email and words don't do it justice. I was in tears doing it.

He knows what's gone on in the past - he's a clever boy and he kind of understands it himself Kevin Harris

"It's a big, big step and a new chapter. We've been waiting for this - to say yep, it's all working properly - for a long time."

Rhys was diagnosed with the genetic disease Nemo when he was aged three and had to live in isolation with his parents prevented from hugging or kissing him.

In October 2007, he had a bone marrow transplant at a specialist unit in Newcastle, to replace his faulty immune system.

The procedure was a success and Rhys was able to return home the following July.

While he will still have to go back to the hospital once a year, his father has been delighted by his progress.

Bone marrow donor

"He knows what's gone on in the past - he's a clever boy and he kind of understands it himself," said Mr Harris.

"He managed to get himself through it."

Mr Harris said the family were trying to track down the bone marrow donor, who is from the United States, so they could say thank you in person.

"We've sent a letter to our bone marrow unit who will send a letter to the unit where the donor came from," he said.

"If he's ticked the box saying I don't want to be anonymous, he can contact us. If he's anonymous, he's anonymous.

"It would put it all to bed very, very nicely. It would be the icing on the cake."