GENEVA — The World Health Organization today told its member nations it is declaring a swine flu pandemic — the first global flu epidemic in 41 years.

The move came as infections climbed in the United States, Europe, Australia, South America and elsewhere.

In a statement sent to member countries, WHO said it decided to raise the pandemic alert level from phase 5 to 6, meaning that a global outbreak of swine flu has begun.

The decision was made after the U.N. health agency held an emergency meeting on swine flu with its experts.